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AROUND AN IROQUOIS 
STORY FIRE 



“ ‘Hanio!’—Let’s have a story I” 












































AROUND AN 
IROQUOIS STORY FIRE 

BY 

MABEL POWERS 

(YEHSENNOHWEHS) 


WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND DECORATIONS BY 
R, EMMETT OWEN 



> > 




) 


) 


NEW YORK 

FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY 

MCMXXIII 





Copyright, 1923, by 
Frederick A. Stokes Company 

All rights reserved 



Printed in the United States of America 

JUN 25 1923 

©ClA70407e 


-“at; 



DEDICATION 

Again Yehsennohwehs lights a story fire. Again she calls 
“Hanio!” This time may her voice reach the children of every 
tribe the sun shines upon. From near and far trails of the 
earth, may their voices answer, “Heh!” 

May not only Red and Paleface children gather round this 
fire, but may children of every race and color sit in a circle 
about it. May the Children of Earth form a ring of peace and 
love around it. May the Smile of the Great Spirit rest upon 
them. 




ACKNOWLEDGMENT 


These Indian friends brought wood to Yehsennohwehs that 
a second story fire might be lighted for the Children of Earth. 
For this Yehsennohwehs is grateful. 


Edward Cornplanter (Sosondowah —“Great Night”).Seneca Wolf 

Howard Midsky (Gauwii —“He sees from the high place”) .. .Seneca Heron 

Young William Jones (Dagayah — “Long Cloud”).Seneca Snipe 

Jonas Crouse (Daanjhon —“Land all around”).Seneca Hawk 

Electa Crouse (Tandiet) . Seneca Beaver 

Thomas Jones (Gahneyehs —“The dropping snow”).Seneca Wolf 

John Jtmerson (Sohgohgwash — “Soaring Chief”) ... .White Eagle-Seneca 

Alex Clute (Ganozvahyando) .Seneca Turtle 

Lewis Jimerson (IVahwahzuannoonk —“One who overhears ) 

Cayuga White Heron 


The songs were sung by Howard Midsky and Simeon Skye, 
and were recorded by Mary Wolff, the friend of 
Y ehsennohwehs. 











FOREWORD 

Again Yehsennohwehs, our Paleface friend—the One who 
carries and tells the stories—lights story fire. 

Many of the old chiefs and story-tellers, who some moons 
ago bring logs and sticks to make the first story fire, have 
gone on Long Sky Trail. But fire still burn, Yehsennohwehs 
keep it bright, she gather more wo6d to keep it burning. 

Yehsennohwehs love the Indian, his thoughts and ways, the 
free life he once live under blue sky. She love all his sky and 
earth and water brothers. She love the same Great Spirit that 
he love. 

We are glad both Paleface and Indian learn from her what 
great things Indian once do, how much he give. We are glad 
she know how good and kind his heart is. We are glad she 
speak for us and tell beautiful thoughts in Indian’s mind, how 
always he is thinking of Great Spirit. We are glad her story 
fire make Paleface to see Indian as he is. 

May this story fire warm the hearts of the children and the 
women, the young men and the old. May the fire of the 
Great Spirit keep it always burning. May all who sit around 
it hear His Voice, and be as brothers. 


IX 


X 


Foreword 


Chief of Mohawks, 





-CO • 


Chief of Oneidas, 

Chief of Onondagas, 


7 ^ (/x^— 






' A ---. 






Chief of Senecas, 


Ci>-C* - . 

"c^ <X->V^ 


- ■n-aw- 


Chief of Tuscaroras, 





(The present acting chiefs have signed this Fore¬ 
word with Indian names and symbols) 










CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Foreword .ix 

Why Stories Are Told Around the Fire .... i 

How THE Tree Brothers Gave.6 

Why One Woodpecker Has a Red Head.14 

Why Leaves Turn Red and Yellow.16 

How THE Heron Clan Song Came.21 

How AN Indian Found His Game.25 

How THE Arrow Became Winged.29 

How A Crab Learned the Rights of Others . . 34 

Why Sunshine Follows Rain.37 

How THE Turtle Won the Race.40 

How A Turtle Outwitted a^Wolf . , ... 45 

Why the Test Did Not Come Off.49 

How THE Dancing Stars Got Into the Sky ... 52 

Why the Dog Hangs Out His Tongue .... 59 

How Strongheart Won His Mate.63 

How A Bird Turned the World Upside Down . . 71 

How the Bugs Overcame the Worms .... 74 

How Corn and Beans Came to Be.79 

Why the Woodchuck Comes Out in Midwinter . 84 

Why the Sun Travels from East to West .... 90 

Why We Have Mosquitoes. 95 

Why the Maple Wears a Beaded Dress ... 97 

How A Song Changed the World.99 

Why Waters Laugh and Shout When Winds Blow . 108 

How Giving Evil for Evil Ends.113 








ILLUSTRATIONS 


“ ‘Hanio!’—Let’s have a story!”. Frontispiece 

“At last he stood before them ”.19 

“Two Arrows saw the peril ”.31 

“His tail was heavy with pride ”.43 

“ ‘Will you not run with me ?’ asked the man” .... 61 

“There stood a wonderful corn stalk”.81 

“Day after day he wondered”.91 

“The chief’s daughter made her way to the singer” . . . 103 






AROUND AN IROQUOIS 
STORY FIRE 


WHY STORIES ARE TOLD AROUND 

THE FIRE 

Why is it that when we gather in a circle about a 
fire some one always says, ‘^Oh, let's tell stories!" 
There must be a reason why a circle and a fire always 
make us think of stories, and there is certainly no 
better place in the world to tell a story than around 
a fire. 

We may not remember it, but moons and moons 
and moons ago we have all sat out under the starlit 
sky in a circle about a fire and told stories—or perhaps 
listened to stories being told. It is the memories of 
long ago that stir within us as we smell the smoke 
and watch the dancing flames leap forth that make 
us form a ring about the fire and say, ^'Oh, tell a 
story I" 

Had there never been a fire, there would never have 
been a story. Moons and moons and moons ago, 
when the earth was yet young and the first men lived 


2 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


on it, there was no fire, except the sun fire in the sky. 
But the sun fire at times went away and left them; 
then the earth grew dark and cold and their hearts 
were heavy. 

And one day as one of these first men sat shiver¬ 
ing—perhaps watching his little child suffering with 
the cold—because he was so wretched and unhappy, 
he seized a black stone that lay near and threw it as 
hard as he could against another. Then something 
very strange happened. Sparks of fire flew into the 
air. Oh, how wonderful it must have been to have 
seen for the first time the spirit of Are leap out of dull 
black stones! 

This fire, the first men found they could call from 
out these black, hard stones whenever they wished. 
Later they learned that this same fire lived also in the 
heart of wood, and that by rubbing together pieces 
of certain kinds of wood, they could make fire. This 
strange fire spirit, however, would not stay long with 
them unless they gave it something to eat. It seemed 
to be ever hungry, and when they fed it they found it 
would laugh and sing and dance for them and make 
their lodges warm and light and their hearts happy 
as did the sun fire in the sky. 

Great was the mystery and wonder of the fire to 
the first men! They did not know whence it came 
nor whither it went when it left them, but they 




Why Stories Are Told Around the Fire 3 


were very grateful for it and believed the Great Spirit 
must have sent it, since it made them so warm and 
happy. 

Before the fire came to the first men thev were 
always afraid. They feared that some animal might 
spring upon them in the darkness, or other harm 
come to them. They did not know that the Great 
Spirit had made everything good, that it is man who 
twists things and makes them seem wrong. They 
did not know that animals will not harm us if we are 
kind and have no fear of them; so because these men 
were afraid, they looked for something outside of 
themselves to protect them. They saw that fire had 
great power, so they said, “Let us get behind this 
powerful thing that has come to us and let it protect 
us! Let us put fire between us and the things we are 
afraid of!’^ 

The first men then lighted a circle of fires around 
them. Within that circle of fires they found they 
were safe from animals and could sleep or talk in 
peace, for no animals would cross that ring of fires, 
so charmed were they by the spirit of the fire. So fire 
became the guardian chief of the first men. 

Fire is still the guardian chief of men, but now men 
look within for it, for they have learned that fire lives 
not only in the heart of the stone and of the wood 
but in the hearts of men. And when this fire of 



4 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


love and courage burns in the hearts of men, one is 
protected by it. 

It was a night long to be remembered when men 
first discovered love fire in the hearts of one another. 
That night, instead of making a ring of fires about 
themselves, they made a ring of themselves about the 
fire. And as they sat about it, they began to talk 
about this wonderful thing that had power even to 
draw men together and around it. This was the first 
story that was ever told around the fire, the story of 
the fire itself. Afterwards men came from other 
tribes and sat around the fire with them and told 
what they knew of it and of other wonderful things 
they had seen and heard. And so these stories grew 
and grew and grew around the fire. 

And why do we like to sit in a circle, to form a 
ring about the fire? The ring of fires and the ring 
of men meant peace and life and love to the first 
men. A ring today means peace and life and love 
and happiness. 

To sit in a ring is also the most natural and the 
happiest way to sit. Have you noticed that as we 
form a ring about this story fire each one of us has 
the best seat? Each can see and be seen, and this 
makes each one of us feel that we are a part of the 
ring and have a share in all that goes on in it. We 



Why Stories Are Told Around the Fire 5 


like the things that we all take part in and share 
with all. 

And now as the Red children and you and Yehsen- 
nohwehs make a ring about this Iroquois story fire, 
we hear the Red children call ‘^Hanio!’'—Let's have 
a story!—and they invite the children of all peoples 
to join the ring and share with them the wonder and 
happiness of their stories as Yehsennohwehs, their 
story-teller, tells them. 




• HOW THE TREE BROTHERS GAVE 

We all love the Indian and his stories, for there 
is something about the Indian and his stories that 
comes very, very near to the heart of every boy and 
girl, something that they claim as their very own. 

Yehsennohwehs believes that this is because we 
all belonged once to the woods and knew the Wood 
People very intimately. She also believes that the 
woods and the Wood People still belong to us, and 
should be a part of our lives. Through the Indian 
we get acquainted with all of Mother Nature’s chil¬ 
dren, the Wood, the Water, and the Air People, for 
the Indian knows and loves them all. He says they 

are our brothers, for the same life that is in us is in 

6 













How the Tree Brothers Gave 


7 


them. We are glad to know we have so many rela¬ 
tives, for we like to belong to a large family. 

The Red children know many, many secrets of the 
Wood People which Paleface boys.and girls do not 
know. Not long ago they told Yehsennohwehs one 
of the secrets of the Tree People, and she will tell it 
now to you. 

But first you must know that the real Indian loves 
to give. He will give the thing he loves most because 
he does not wish to value things too much and become 
attached to them. He never measures his gift. He 
may spend a whole year carving a pipe or a cane, 
weaving a basket or blanket for his friend, but he is 
happy in doing it, if he has made something beautiful 
and has made some one else happy in doing it. He 
will give his last bit of meat or corncake to one who 
is hungry, and no one cold or in need is ever turned 
from his lodge-door. “Do not the sun and the rain 
give to all?” he asks. “Then why should men hold 
anything back for themselves?” 

In the old days each of the Red children brought 
his gift to the tribe. His gift was the thing he could 
do best and the thing he loved best to do. The best 
arrow-maker became the arrow-maker teacher of the 
tribe and taught the others how to make arrows. 
The one who could tell the best story became the 
storv-teller of the tribe. It made no difference what 



8 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


the gift was, whether it were a piece of meat, a basket 
of corn, a bow and arrow, a warm blanket, a song or 
story, it was of value if it was of use to the people 
and made them happy, and each was happy in bring¬ 
ing his gift and had no thought as to what he would 
get for it. 

It was long, long before the Paleface came that the 
Red children learned this beautiful lesson of giving, 
and they did not forget it when they saw their White 
brother. First they gave him their hands and called 
him brother. Then they gave him a seat by their 
fire and a soft skin to sit upon, their best food to 
eat and warm skins to wear, a place in which to live, 
and hunting and fishing grounds. 

But the Palefaced brother had not learned to give 
as had his Red brother, and he did not give to the 
Red Man as the Red Man gave to him. Yehsennoh- 
wehs is sure, however, that all Palefaced children who 
read this story will wish to share their gifts. 

It was from Mother Earth’s Tree children, the 
Indians say, that they first learned how to give. The 
Tree People were here before the Red children, for 
when the latter came to earth they found it peopled 
with their Tree brothers. The Tree People welcomed 
their Red brother; they were glad that he had come 
to live with them, and each wished to give him a gift 
that would help him to live. 



How the Tree Brothers Gave 


9 


Wahdageit, the Maple, was the first to bring his 
gift. will give him sweet water to drink,'’ he said, 
“and out of my heart let him make a bowl from which 
to drink it." 

Goungah, the Elm, was the next to speak. 

“The Great Spirit has given my brother corn to 
plant and to grow. He will need something in which 
to store it before he makes it into bread and pudding. 
Take my skin and make a great bowl in which to 
place food that is dry. Bind my cords around it, tie 
it strong, and let him remember that when he needs 
to tie anything fast and secure, he should use my 
cords." 

“And I will give him the pounder in which to grind 
his corn," said Gahgahdah, the Oak. “My heart is 
strong and firm; it never wears out. When the corn 
has been ground in the pounder, his wife can make it 
into bread and pudding." 

“And I will give her the paddle with which to stir 
the pudding," quickly added the Maple, “and a spoon 
with which to eat it." So it was from the Maple that 
the Indian made his pudding stick and spoons. 

“My brother will wish something in which to carry 
the nuts and the fruits that the Great Spirit has 
caused to grow for him. He will need baskets in 
which to gather the corn, to wash and prepare it for 
the grinding. Let me give him baskets," said 



10 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


Gahnyu, the Ash. he will come and sit beside 
me, I will show him how to bend and shape my heart 
so that it will serve others. Together we will make 
baskets of all kinds. Let the women come, too, and 
learn from me how to carry things. I will make for 
them a papoose basket in which to bear their little 
ones; then their burdens will be light.’’ 

^‘And we will fill the baskets that Gahnvu makes, 
cried all the Nut brothers in one breath: Onyastah, 
the Chestnut; Ooskaan, the Beech; Tsunoogwak, the 
Walnut; and Oonennoogah, the Hickory. ‘‘And I will 
also make for him arrows that can not be bent; with 
them he can bring down big game,^' concluded the 
Hickory. “Will Gahnyu make for him the bow? It 
will not be difficult for him to bend to the bow¬ 
string.’^ 

The Ash agreed to this, and soon a fine bow and 
arrow were in the hands of the Red Man. 

“Our brother has no shelter from the storms, no 
place in which to live and use all these gifts,” said the 
Pine Tree, Osoah. “I will make for him a lodge,” 
murmured the Pine in his soft-singing voice, “and my 
cousins, the Balsam and Cedar—Soahgodah and 
Joonundahjeh—will help me. Soahgodah will make 
for him a soft and sweet-smelling bed upon which 
sleep and beautiful dreams will come to him. Should 
he grow tired when on the trail, and the journey seem 




How the Tree Brothers Gave 


11 


long", let him take one of my limbs to walk with. 
With it he will travel fast. My limbs are long and 
strong and straight, for I am ever climbing, climbing 
high to find the stm.’^ 

The Red Man thanked his Tree brothers for their 
many and useful gifts and journeyed on. He had 
gone but a few arrow flights, however, when he 
became very thirsty. “Oh, if Wahdageit, my Maple 
friend, were but with me!’’ he thought. “He would 
give me sweet water to drink.” With this thought, 
he ran on down the trail. 

Soon he saw a great willow bowing low his head. 
“My brother wishes water, is it not so?” called the 
Willow as he greeted him. “Remember Osadah, 
the Willow, is your friend. He guards the springs 
for you. Yonder is living water,” said he, with a 
graceful nod of his head. “Go and drink.” 

With a grateful heart the Red Man drank and 
passed on, thinking long on the words of the Willow. 

After a while the trail of the Red Man led him to 
the river. The waters were deep and wide. He could 
not swim them and take with him the gifts of the 
Tree brothers. As he stood by the river wondering 
how he would cross, a White Birch that was standing 
near called to him, “Brother, would you cross?” 

The Red Man nodded his head in reply. 

- “Then take some of my white skin,” said Tagah- 



12 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


wishdan, the Birch. ‘‘No water ever gets through 
my skin. Sew it together with the cords Goungah 
has given you, then ask Osoah to give you some of 
his blood to pour upon the places you have bound 
together. You will then be able to travel safely the 
river trails.’’ 

From the skin of the White Birch the Red Man 
then made his canoe. With the cords of the Elm he 
bound it fast, and with the life-blood of the Pine 
he made it water-tight. Then, with a glad heart, he 
sprang lightly into the canoe and rode the waters. 

On and on, farther and farther down the singing 
swift-running river went the canoe and its maker. 
At last he grew tired of riding the waters and longed 
to feel the earth under his feet. He decided to land. 
Seeing a beautiful place near which were clear- 
flowing springs and many Tree brothers standing 
by, he left his canoe and took counsel with them. 
There he decided to remain for a time and build a 
lodge. Very happy was the heart of the Red Man 
all summer building his home and making use of the 
Tree People’s gifts. The sun shone warm and bright 
and all his wants seemed to have been supplied. But 
after the Moon of falling leaves had passed, the sun 
did not often show his smiling face, and the Red Man 
grew cold and his heart was heavy. 

Then Soahgodah—the Balsam Fir—whispered to 



H ow the Tree Brothers Gave 


13 


him one night as he lay on his bed, ‘^There is sun-fire 
in my heart; take some pieces of it and rub them 
together/’ 

The Red Man did as he was told and smoke came 
forth from the heart of the Fir. He continued to rub 
the pieces together and soon sparks were seen which 
burst into flame. In a short time a fire was burning 
in the lodge, and it was filled with warmth and light. 

Then all the Tree People about the lodge with one 
voice spoke to the Red Man. 

^‘The fire of love dwells in all our hearts. Take it 
and use it; it will ever keep you warm. When the 
sun hides his face and your heart is cold and heavy, 
take the heart of any one of us, place upon it the fire 
which you have learned to call forth from the heart 
of Soahgodah—the Balsam Fir. You will find that 
any one and all of your Tree brothers will give you 
warmth and light. We give you our life and our 
love. Go forth, and give to your brothers what the 
Tree brothers have given to you.” 




WHY ONE WOODPECKER HAS A 

RED HEAD 

A woodpecker had been out all day working hard, 
hammering away on tree-trunks. When night came 
he had a bad headache. 

The woodpecker flew back to his lodge in the hol¬ 
low of the great oak. Pie tried to sleep, but he could 
not. There was a great pain in his head. Oh, how 
it did ache! 

At last the woodpecker thought his head would 

split in two if something were not done. He went to 

the door of the lodge and put his head out. The cool 

night air made him feel a little better. The Wood 

People were asleep, save for a few night walkers. 

Gahgwah, the moon, was high in the sky. It would 

14 


Why One Woodpecker Has a Red Head 15 


be a long time before the sun came up. None of the 
Bird People were to be seen, but over in the tall 
hickory tree, O o wah, the owl, was hooting. He was 
the only bird out. 

The woodpecker called to the owl to come to his 
lodge. At once the owl flew to his door and inquired 
what was wanted. 

The woodpecker said he had a great pain in his 
head. ‘^Would O o wah go and get medicine?” 

O o wah, the owl, said he would be very glad to go, 
and he flew at once to the south. He knew a redbird 
lived there who had strong medicine. 

The owl found the lodge of the medicine redbird 
and brought him back to the woodpecker’s lodge. 
The medicine redbird went in and looked at the 
woodpecker. He said he could cure him, for he had 
brought strong medicine. 

The medicine redbird then pulled two red feathers 
from his wing and stuck them in the woodpecker’s 
head. He said, '‘Strong medicine in these red 
feathers; wear them two days and you will be cured.” 

The woodpecker wore the red feathers two days, 
then forgot to take them out. This is why he has a 
red head today. It is also why this woodpecker can 
hammer so hard on trees. He has never had a head¬ 
ache since those medicine feathers were given him. 



WHY LEAVES TURN RED AND 

YELLOW 


Most people do not know that a great bear chase 
is forever on, high, high up in the sky. The Indians 
know just how and why it is that all these things are 
as they are. They know why this bear chase is on, 
and this is how they say it came to be. 

Once many, many moons ago a great bear appeared 
in the forest. This was long, long before the White 
man came. No one knew whence this bear came, 
but he was so fierce and strong, no animal could 
meet him and live. Game grew scarce, and the 
trails were strewn with bones. The Indians saw that 
they must soon rid the forest of this monster, or no 
animals could live. A council was therefore called 
to decide how and when to attack him. 

That night three Indian brothers who were great 
hunters had a dream. Each dreamed that he had 
brought down the bear, and carried the heart of the 
monster back to the people. At sunrise the three 
brothers set out on the bear trail. They said they 
would never return, never rest, until their arrows had 
found the heart of the great bear. 

i6 


Why Leaves Turn Red and Yellow 17 


For many days they followed the track of the mon¬ 
ster, through the forest and on up the steep mountain 
sides far to the north. It grew very cold, and often 
the bear trail was lost in the blinding snow. But on 
and on they climbed; they would not give up the 
chase. 

Sometimes the shadow of the great bear was seen 
on the snow but a few bow shots ahead, but before 
they could get within arrow flight it had disappeared. 
All the bear trees along the trail were searched, but 
no bear was to be found. 

So sure, however, were these three brothers that 
they would soon overtake the bear that they began to 
prepare for it. The oldest brother took all the arrows. 

%He was to lead the attack and shoot the game. The 
second brother found a kettle where once a camp had 
been. He said he would carry it along to cook the 
game in. The youngest brother gathered an armful 
of sticks with which to light the fire when they were 
ready to cook the bear. So on and on went the three 
brothers, the first carrying the bow and arrows, the 
second, the kettle, and the third, the firesticks. 

Farther and farther over the snowy mountain 
trails went the brave, persistent hunters. At last 
they drew near the jumping-ofif place of the world— 
the place where the earth and sky meet. It was there 
for the first time that they saw the bear. At last he 




18 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


stood before them. In the light of the setting sun his 
huge body was boldly outlined against the sky. 

The first hunter drew his bow, and as the arrow 
left the bowstring, the bear made a quick turn and 
ran up the Great Sky Trail. Through valleys of mist 
and over mountains of snow-white clouds now sped 
this wonderful sky bear. The hunters leaped over the 
edge of the world and followed. They, too, had found 
the Great Sky Trail. “If we cannot get him on 
earth,’’ they said, “we will chase him through the sky 
world until we have kettle of bear meat.” 

Once an arrow almost pierced the bear’s heart, 
but a cloud passed between, and the arrow fell to 
earth. The tireless hunters, however, would not give 
up the chase. On and on, over the Great Sky Trail 
of the north, they ran in pursuit of the bear. 

They still continue to pursue him. Moons have 
come and moons have gone, centuries have passed, 
and still the bear chase is on. The hunters have not 
yet found the heart of the bear to take to the people. 
They will chase him until they do. 

In the spring when the dogwood flowers, the 
Indians point to the great dipper in the north. In 
the bowl of the dipper they see the bear, in the 
handle, the three hunters. “Now hunters start after 
bear,” they say; “when leaves turn red and yellow, 
they think they get him.” 




“At last he stood before them” 


19 






















20 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


The spring passes. All summer the bear circles 
slowly—as bears are wont—through the north sky 
with the hunters in pursuit. Just before the leaves 
fall, the chase becomes very close. The hunters press 
hard upon the bear. Finding himself at bay, the bear 
rises and turns upon his pursuers. An eager arrow 
from the bow of the first hunter finds the heart of 
the great bear. He rolls over on his back in the sky, 
and his red blood drips to earth and stains some 
leaves red. 

The heat of the chase has caused the fat of the 
bear to melt. This oil drips down and the leaves of 
other trees become covered with a yellow wax-like 
grease. This is why leaves turn red and yellow in 
the fall, the Indian says. 

At last the hunters seem to have their game. But, 
no, the bear soon rises and disappears into a great sky 
den. There through the long winter moons he sleeps, 
gathering fresh strength and new life. 

In the spring the first rays of the sun awaken him. 
Again he comes forth from the sky den. The hunters 
wandering through the sky trails again find his 
tracks. Again they take to the great bear trail. Again 
the chase is on. 

It will be on till the stars fall and the moon drops 
out of the sky, so say the Indians. 




HOW THE HERON CLAN SONG CAME 


The river birds were not always good friends. 
Sometimes they quarreled. 

One day a snipe started out along a river bank 
looking for trouble. He had not to travel far, for he 
soon met a kingfisher and began to rail at him, and 
make fun of the crest of feathers which he was 
wearing on his head. 

^'Hi, there, friend fisher,” said he, “it’s too hot to 
wear a war-bonnet; take it off! Why do you wear 
that bunch of feathers on your head? Possibly 
because there is so little in it!” 

The kingfisher resented this. He rattled out a few 
kingfisher words in reply, raised his proud crest still 
higher, and flew to the limb of a willow tree near. 

“I am chief of the water birds,” said he. “I am 


21 


22 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


king of the river. The war-bonnet I wear is the 
symbol of my power. The kingfisher is great. He 
is strong. He can live anywhere.’^ 

“Why then is the kingfisher chief never seen in the 
southland, where the other birds dwell in winter?’^ 
asked the snipe scornfully. 

“The kingfisher is not afraid of North Wind when 
he comes and drives the other birds to the southland. 
He is not afraid when the river grows white and still. 
When North Wind laughs and shrieks, ^How now 
can the kingfisher live?’ the kingfisher answers, ^He 
is not afraid, there is plenty of food.’ Then the king¬ 
fisher leaves his warm lodge in the bank, and goes 
to the springs which North Wind cannot lock up. 
There he dives and gets all the fish he needs as they 
pass by.” 

The snipe gave the chief of the river birds a second 
look. He seemed every inch a king as he sat there 
with his crest high. The snipe concluded he would 
move on. He did not think it best to quarrel with a 
bird that was not afraid of North Wind. 

The snipe ran on down the river bank until he came 
upon a heron hiding in the reeds and sedges. 

“Hi, friend heron!” he called. “What are you 
hiding for in the bushes? Come out in the open.” ' 
“I do not wish to come out in the open; I do not 
wish to be seen,” said the heron. “You see I am not 



How the Heron Clan Song Came 23 


much of a bird; Fm mostly neck and legs/’ and as he 
said this the heron’s head and neck dropped low. 

^^Here is a bird with whom it is safe to quarrel,” 
thought the snipe, so he spoke up boldly, ^^Oh, that 
is not the reason why you keep under cover. You 
are afraid; your tribe is weak! There are few heron 
people left.” 

At this the heron raised his head so high there 
seemed no end to his neck. “Very well,” he replied; 
“we will see which tribe is the larger, the snipe or the 
heron. We will see whose people are the stronger.” 

Each then agreed to call a council of his tribe, and 
at sunrise to fly past Pigeon Town. The pigeons had 
a settlement of their own on a hill near. The snipe 
and his tribe were to fly by, then the heron and his 
people. It was agreed that the pigeons should decide 
which tribe was greater. 

“The sky will be black with snipes. You will not 
see the sun for them,” boasted the snipe as he flew 
away to summon his people. 

The heron did not speak. 

At sunrise a great flapping of wings was heard on 
the river. From far and near the snipe people had 
come, and they were many. 

“Koo koo koo koo koo koo,” came the snipe cry, 
and with quick nervous flight they flew past Pigeon 



24 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


Town. The pigeons sat in council in their great tree 
and watched them go by. 

Then like a great blue cloud, the heron tribe rose 
from among the reeds and sedges. With necks drawn 
in, legs stretched far behind, they beat the air with 
their great wings in strong, calm, even strokes, for 
they knew their power. So many herons were there, 
the sun was dimmed as they passed. 

The snipes did not wait to hear the decision of the 
Pigeon Council, but flew far down the river. It was 
quite evident which tribe was the greater. 

The herons flew back to the river and held a meet¬ 
ing of their clans among the tall grasses and reeds. 
As the council of the clan ended, the herons sang, 
''He ga, he gi he go hah yah, he ga a ni.” This means 

"Everybody’s with us.’^ 

% 

Ever since, the heron clan of the Iroquois have 
used this song as their clan song, and they call it the 
"Heron clan song.” When they sing it, they feel they 
are stronger. But perhaps you did not know that the 
Iroquois people were divided into clans, and that 
there were eight of them, the Wolf, the Turtle, 
Beaver and Deer, also the Snipe, Hawk, Heron and 
Bear. 



He ga, he gu he go hah yah, he ga a ni 











HOW AN INDIAN FOUND HIS GAME 

Once a long, long time ago, an Indian went out 
hunting. It was in those days when the white man 
first came to this country. All day the Indian fol¬ 
lowed the track of a deer. As the sun dropped low he 
came upon his game. ‘‘Twang!” and an arrow flew 
through the air! It found the heart of the beautiful 
deer, and the swift runner of the forest fell. 

The Indian threw the deer over his broad shoulders 
and started on the home trail. He was tired and 
thought he would sleep a little, so he hung the deer 
on a tree near his lodge. “Until the sun is high, I will 
sleep,” said he, “then I will rise and prepare the deer 
for a feast.” 


25 






26 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


He lay down on a bed of pine boughs within his 
lodge, and drew a soft deerskin over him. Soon he 
was sleeping and dreaming of the great feast he would 
give to his friends the next night. 

When he awoke, the sun was low. At once he rose 

/ 

and ran to the tree where he had hung the deer. No 
deer was to be seen. 

Indians have seeing eyes. This Indian was not 
unlike his Red brothers. From the time when he was 
strapped to the little papoose board and rode on his 
mother^s back he had been trained to see things. 
Nothing escaped those sharp black eyes. So now 
these keen eyes sought the tree and the ground under¬ 
neath. One look was enough. There the whole deer 
story was written large to the Indian, and his seeing 
eyes could read it. 

The next instant the Indian was off on the trail to 
a white man’s camp down the river. Some white men 
were sitting about the fire as the Indian drew near. 
He told them he had lost a deer; he said that a white 
man had taken it, and that he had come for it. 

He looked at the group around the fire. “Man not 
here!” he exclaimed. “He is old man, short not tall. 
He had gun and little dog with short tail.” “Well,” 
yawned a white man, “if you saw the man, why did 
you not go after him and get your deer?” 

To the surprise of all, the Indian said he did not 



How an Indian Found His Game 27 


see the man, that he was sleeping in the lodge when 
the deer was taken. 

“Then how do you know that the man who took 
your deer was a white man?’^ cried the men. 

“Indian walk so/’ replied the Indian, pointing his 
toes straight ahead. “White man walk so/’ pointing 
his toes out. “These white man’s tracks.” 

“But how do you know this white man was old?” 
they questioned. 

“Young man take long step, tracks far apart. Old 
man take short step, tracks close together,” came the 
quick reply. “These tracks close.” 

“How do you know this old white man was short, 
not tall?” again questioned the white man. 

“Indian show white man mark on tree where deer 
hang where man lean his gun,” said the Red Man. 

“But how do you know that this short, old, white 
man with a gun, who stole your deer, had a little dog 
with a short tail? Tell us that if you can.” 

A flash of fire shot into the Indian’s eyes, but not 
a muscle of his face moved as he replied, “Indian see 
place where little dog sit and watch man take deer 
down. Little dog have light heart, he think he get 
something good to eat, he wag tail fast. It leave 
mark on ground. Mark close to where little dog sit. 
Indian know little dog have short tail.” 

Just then there was a crackling of twigs and 



28 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


branches and a man came out of the woods and ap¬ 
proached the fire. He was white. He was old and 
short. He carried a gun on his shoulder, and close 
at his heels followed a little dog wagging cheerfully 
a bobbed tail. 

The Indian pointed quickly to the stranger. '^He, 
the man!” he said in a low voice. 

“Yes,” said the men seated about the fire, “he is the 
man. He took the deer and he shall return it. A man 
who can track a deer, both dead and alive, is entitled 
to his game.” 

Then, turning to the old white man, they told him 
to bring the deer, saying, “Next time you are hungry 
for deer meat, be sure the trail does not end in a tree 
near a wigwam where there lives a man with seeing 
eyes.” 



HOW THE ARROW BECAME WINGED 


The robin has ever been the friend of man. Long 
before men built great houses and barns, ploughed 
the fields and planted orchards, this little bird lived 
near the Red children and was their friend. 

At sunrise his cheery call would waken Indian boys 
and girls from their sleep. ''The sun is up, is up, get 
up, get up!’' he would chirp from the tree-top near 
their lodge. 

Then many little black eyes would fly open, many 
strong, lithe little bodies would leap from under their 
blankets. A glad cry would ring through the forest 
and there would be a dash for the nearest stream. 

After the morning dip, the children would return 
to the lodge. Seated about the fire, each would eat 
from his wooden bowl of the hominy the good mother 
had been cooking in the great kettle over the fire. 
How good it tasted and how happy they were! 

The morning meal over, the children would start 
for school, just as the children of today. But no loud- 
voiced clamoring bell called Indian boys and girls to 
their tasks. No slow, loitering, heavy feet were seen 
on those school trails, only light, happy, dancing feet, 

for Indian boys and girls went to school in the woods. 

29 


30 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


The great out-of-doors was their school. And who¬ 
ever saw a boy or girl who was not glad to be sent 
out of doors? 

What wonderful things were learned in that Wood 
school! ' And how these boys and girls loved their 
teachers! Do vou know who their teachers were? 
The Tree, Flower and Plant People, the Bird and 
Animal People. 

Never did a boy or girl return from this school to 
his or her lodge without having learned something 
of value. After the evening meal, when all were 
seated about the burning logs, each would tell what 
he or she had learned that day in the Wood school. 

One morning, a very, very long time ago, a little 

» 

Indian boy started for this school in the woods. He 
was called Two Arrows. Two Arrows did not carry 
a slate and pencil, or a book and pad. His school-bag 
was an arrow quiver made of deerskin and in it were 
a bow and two arrows. 

■ Two Arrows’ grandfather was the best arrow- 
maker of the tribe. He taught the hunters how to 
make arrows. The night before he had shown little 
Two Arrows how to make two kinds of arrows. One 
was made of light wood and was pointed sharp, so it 
could travel swift and sure. The wood of the other 
arrow was more tough and heavy; it could not be sent 
so far or so swiftly. 




“Two Arrows saw the perir* 


31 




















































32 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


Two Arrows had not been at school long before he 
heard his little brother, the robin, calling loudly for 
help. At once he picked up his bow and arrows and 
ran in the direction of the call. Mother Robin was 
much alarmed. Father Robin had gone for food for 
the robin children. She was about to follow, when 
she saw a large snake crawling slowly up the tree- 
trunk of the maple where the robin family had built 
their lodge. 

Instantly Two Arrows saw the peril of the robin 
children. He drew his bow and sent his light, swift 
arrow straight into the head of the snake. It dropped 
to the ground. That snake would never again lay 
plans for a robin breakfast. 

Mother Robin’s heart was so glad, she flew down 
and stood before Two Arrows that she might thank 
him. “Chirp, chirp, chirp!” went the robin. “You 
saved my family. I thank you, I thank you, I thank 
you!” 

Then Mother Robin plucked some of the feathers 
from her wings and breast, and hopped over to where 
the two arrows were lying on the ground. With long 
grasses she quickly bound them to the boy’s arrows. 

“You have a kind heart,” she said. “That your 
arrows may always be light and fly swiftly, I wing 
them for you with my feathers. Now every arrow 
that leaves your bow shall fly swift and sure as a bird 



How the Arrow Became Winged 33 


to the heart of the enemy. Use them only to protect 
the young and weak, and you shall be called not Two 
Arrows, but Winged Arrow, because your arrows 
shall fly as birds, and the lives of many helpless ones 
shall be saved by you.'’ 

With this the robin flew back to her lodge in the 
maple tree to quiet her children. 

Two Arrows picked up his arrows, now winged 
with feathers, and started on the home trail. His 
heart was light, for had he not saved the lives of five 
little brothers of the wood, and earned a new name? 

It was a big lesson the little Indian learned in the 
wood that morning. He never forgot it. 

When Two Arrows had grown tall and was a man, 
on near and far trails he was known as Winged 
Arrow—the one whose arrows fly like birds. Winged 
Arrow was also known as a wise and kind chief who 
let his arrows fly only at those who were the enemies 
of the young and weak. 

Since the time of Winged Arrow, the Indians have 
tipped their arrows with feathers. 




HOW A CRAB LEARNED THE RIGHTS 

OF OTHERS 

Once a selfish crab caused much trouble in a 
stream. He seemed to think one channel belonged 
to him alone and that no one had a right even to pass 
through it but himself. If one of the other Water 
People SAvam near his lodge, he would seize and pinch 
him. So hard did this crab pinch, few dared to pass 
his home. 

The water trail on which the crab lived was the one 
the Stream People most loved. They did not like to 
be forced to take a round-about trail to go down river, 
nor did they enjoy being pinched if they swam that 
way. 


34 








How a Crab Learned the Rights of Others 35 


So one day the Stream People called a council to 
decide what should be done with the crab. A hawk 
attended the council. He offered to free the people 
froiii chis annoying crab. He said the crab should 
pinch them no more. 

That very day when the sun was high the hawk 
was sailing over the river and his sharp eyes spied 
the crab lying in the clear water. The hawk quietly 
swooped down, lifted the crab from the stream, and 
carried him far back into a deep wood. 

The crab was very lonely and sad in the wood, so 
far from his home. For a time he cried aloud. He 
thought he should never again see that singing river. 
However, next morning he took courage and set out 
to find his home. 

The first trail he took led him to an oak. When 
he came near the great oak, he asked, “Who are you? 
What kind of tree may you be?’’ 

“I am a red oak,” answered the tree. 

The crab’s eyes filled with tears. He knew he was 
far from home, for oaks do not live on river trails. 

For some time he traveled on. He did not know 
where he was, but he hoped he was on the home trail 
After a time he came to a tall, straight, strong tree 
that was singing softly. “What kind of tree are 
you?” again asked the crab. 

The tree finished his low song with the wind before 



36 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


he answered; then he spoke. “I am the pine, the 
guide of the forest. My head is in the sky. I point 
the way to men.’’ 

‘‘Oh, show me the trail to my home, the river,” 
begged the crab, for he was very sad. He knew the 
Pine People lived far from his home, the singing 
river. 

The sun was low when the crab again stopped and 
inquired of another tree to what tribe he belonged. 
“Butternut,” the tree said quickly, throwing one of 
his nuts at the crab. The crab laughed aloud. He 
knew he was nearing home, and he went on with a 
light heart. Not many rabbit jumps on, he came to 
some friendly looking trees. They bowed low and 
asked him to stop and rest awhile. 

“To what tribe do you belong, my friends?” asked 
the crab. 

“We are of the Willow tribe,” they replied. 

The crab now leaped into the air and danced for 
joy. At last he had found his home! The singing 
river was near, he could hear it now. Soon he was 
once more in the clear stream, with the River People. 

But the crab was so happy and grateful to get back 
to his home that ever after he was willing that all the 
Water People should share it with him. 




WHY SUNSHINE FOLLOWS RAIN 

“Oh, see the man in the moon!” the Paleface 
children cry as the beautiful round ball of light 
appears in the sky. But never will an Indian child 
point out to you “the man in the moon.” 

The Red children know better. They know it is a 
“woman” that lives in the moon, not a “man.” With 
voices soft and low with wonder they say, “See, Soika- 
gaakwa gives us light I She is our grandmother. She 
has built the fire now. On the far sky trail she lives, 
far from the Red children. 

“Always Soika-gaakwa keeps the big fire burning. 

Night after night she lights the fire and hangs a kettle 

of hominy over it. Many Red children sit about the 

fire watching her stir the hominy. They are waiting 

for their evening meal. But Soika-gaakwa tells them 

37 


38 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


the hominy is not done yet. They must wait till 
Grandfather Heno returns, then they will eat/’ and 
again the good, kind grandmother will make the fire 
bright and stir the hominy. 

“Heno, our grandfather, is the Thunderer,” say the 
Red children. “Always he has much work to do. He 
cannot sit by the fire with grandmother. He is very 
busy bringing water to the earth, making all green 
things to grow. 

“Only one chief in the sky is more powerful than 
Heno. He is Sunshine, O dan gode. Sunshine lives 
in the sun. He is the greatest of the chiefs. When 
he speaks, all others listen. 

“Sunshine watches Heno at his work. When he 
thinks that part of the earth where Heno is working 
has had enough water, he comes out and sends him 
to another place. Then Heno with his loud voice will 
call the Rain People and they will come and water 
another part of the earth. The growing things will 
lift their heads and smile. Then Sunshine will again 
come from his lodge in the sun and send Heno on. 

“From the place where the sun comes up, to the 
edge of the far west world, Heno is sent by Sunshine. 
Soon he thinks he will finish his work and sit bv the 
fire with grandmother. But as soon as the work is 
done in one place. Sunshine, the great sky chief, sends 
him to another, for always Mother Earth is thirsty. 



Why Sunshine Follows Rain 


39 


^‘Many, many moons grandmother has kept the fire 
burning and the kettle of hominy boiling for Grand¬ 
father Heno. The Red children who have gone on 
the far trail wait with her. Many, many moons more 
must they wait. We shall see them there in the moon 
as long as the sun shines and the waters run, for 
Grandfather Heno cannot leave his work as long as 
the earth endures.’' 




HOW THE TURTLE WON THE RACE 

The Animal People, like their brothers, have their 
sports and games. They also sometimes play tricks 
on one another. One of their favorite sports is a 
challenge of speed, strength and endurance. Then 
all the Wood People will be called to witness the race 
and see that there is fair play. Sometimes one of the 
Animal People will get a big head and will boast in 
a loud voice of his great strength and speed. Then 
one of his little brothers will quietly challenge him 
and plan to outwit him. His head must not continue 
to grow large, for it might burst. 

A fox was lying under a tree by a singing river. 
A turtle was slowly climbing up the bank. “Hi, hi. 
Slow One called the fox. “Hurry up ! Why do you 
carry your house on your back? No one wants it. 
Leave your wigwam at home when you take a walk, 

/ 40 





















H ow the Turtle Won the Race 


41 


then you may learn to run like me. The fox is swift 
of foot. He can outrun any animal. He can out¬ 
distance the arrow. When he runs, even the earth 
falls behind.’’ 

By this time the turtle had reached the top of the 
river bank. He walked silently over to where the fox 
was lying, raised his head and spoke. ''Friend Fox, 
you call me Slow One. The Slow One challenges the 
Fast One to race. He will reach any goal you name, 
first. He will win the race.” 

At this the fox laughed outright. What, a turtle 
with his lodge on his back outrun the fox, swift of 
foot and most cunning of all animals! 

But the turtle would not be laughed to scorn. 
Again he challenged the fox to race. 

"Very well,” said the fox, rising to his feet; "the 
Fast One will show the Slow One how he can run, 
if he must, but he will be half-way to the goal before 
the turtle starts. What shall the goal be? How far 
shall we run?” 

A rock far down the river was named as the goal. 

Then the fox gave his beautiful tail a proud whisk, 
whirled round for a start, and the next moment was 
off. "Come on!” he called scornfully to the turtle. 

"I’m coming,” said the turtle cheerfully, as he 
caught the waving brush of the fox and snapped onto 
it—for he was a wise old snapping-turtle. 



42 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


The fox was so eager to get off he did not feel the 
turtle snap his tail. His head was so full of himself 
and the wonderful race he was running, nothing else 
could get into it. His tail was heavy with pride. 
Never had a fox made such a run before. He would 
show the turtle what a race was. Every muscle was 
tense with the strain; he thought only of the goal. 
Suddenly the goal came in sight. A few leaps more 
and he would reach it. The race was his. 

For the first time the fox wondered where the 
turtle was. Was he near? He would stop and see, 
the goal was just ahead. He whirled suddenly about 
to see if he could see the turtle. The turtle received- 
such a sudden and unexpected swing, he lost his 
hold on the foxbs tail and was thrown some distance 
ahead, and landed on the rock that had been named 
as the goal. 

^^Hi, hi, you Slow One!’’ called the fox in a big 
voice. “Hurry up back there ! Show your face! Are 
you coming? Let me see you.” 

To the great surprise of the fox, the turtle’s voice 
was heard coming not from behind, but from ahead 
of him. “I’m here. Look at me if you will. Did I not 
say the turtle would win?” 

And sure enough, there on the rock sat the Slow 
One with his head thrust boldly out his lodge door. 




“H is tail was heavy with pride” 


43 


































44 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


The fox sprang upon him in anger and would have 
snapped off the snapping-turtle’s head, had he not 
quickly withdrawn it into his lodge. 

Then and there, on that rock, the fox learned why 
turtles carry their houses with them on their backs. 



HOW A TURTLE OUTWITTED A WOLF 


The turtle folk are very wise people. They are 
slow to speak and act, but they think much. Ever 
since the world was made they have carried its 
weight, its wisdom and its secrets. To this family 
was given the power of upholding the world. This 
is why they move so slowly. They do not wish to 
upset the world. Often they withdraw to the quiet of 
their lodge to think on the secrets they have learned. 
This has made them quickwitted, if not swiftfooted. 
Therefore it is not strange that the turtle should be 
the first to think of the relay race, and this is how it 
happened, the Indians say. 

One day a turtle was floating along in the swift 
current of a deep river. A wolf was running on the 
bank. He noticed the turtle was going pretty fast, 
so he proposed a race. 

^^All right,'’ said the turtle. ‘T will wager my life 
that I will win." 

“Done!" said the wolf. “I will wager mine." 

They then agreed upon the distance to be run. It 
was to be an all-day race, and two suns were to rise 
before it should be begun. 

But the turtle was impatient to be off. He could 

not wait two suns. He knew there was no time to 

45 


46 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


lose, if he were to win, so that very day he started. 
He swam a little way and saw a brother turtle sun¬ 
ning’ on a rock. ^^Hi there, friend said the turtle. 

running a race with a wolf. In two suns he will 
start. When you see him coming, put your head out 
of the water and call, ^Hurry up. I’m winning!’ Then 
you go under and sit down till he passes.” 

The brother turtle promised he would do this, and 
the racing turtle swam on. Some distance on he met 
another turtle. “Hi there, friend!” said he. “I’m 
running a race with a wolf. In two suns he will start. 
When you see him coming, put your head out of the 
river and call, ^Hurry up. I’m ahead!’ then go under 
and sit down!” 

This turtle also promised, and the racing turtle 
paddled on. Still farther, another turtle was seen. 
“Hi, friend,” said the racing turtle, “listen to me. Tm 
running a race with a wolf. When two suns have ‘ 
risen, you will see him coming back there. Put your 
head out of the water and call, ‘You’re the slow one. 
I’m the winner!’ and go under and keep still till he 


gets by.” 

Two more turtles the racing turtle passed, lying on 
the warm sand of the river. To each he gave the 
same instruction, then paddled down stream. 

The sun was getting low as he met the last turtle. 
“Hi, friend turtle,” said he. “I’m running a race with 



How a Turtle Outwitted a Wolf 47 


a wolf. In two suns you will see him. When he 
comes round that curve back there, put your head out 
and call, ‘Hurry up, Tm still ahead and the goal is 
just around the curve.’ Then go under and keep 
still.” This the last turtle said he would do, and the 
racing turtle swam on round the bend of the river. 

A few bow shots ahead, he came upon the goal. He 
paddled up and anchored his house to a great stone. 
Two suns he rested, for he was very tired. It is hard 
work to paddle your own house from sunrise to 
sunset. 

True to his word, when the second sun rose the wolf 
appeared at the place named for the start. From the 
bank he called to the turtle, “Where are vou? Fm 
off!” Up bobbed a turtle’s head. “All right, hurry 
up, I’m ahead!” it said. Then the head dropped out 
of sight. 

The wolf started to run faster. “Next time you 
speak, friend turtle,” he thought, “your voice will be 
far behind me.” The wolf ran some distance. He 
was thinking how far ahead of the turtle he now must 
be when again a turtle’s head bobbed up a short 
distance ahead. “Hi there, friend wolf,” came the 
turtle’s voice, “hurry up, I’m winning!” and before 
the wolf could reply, the head had disappeared. 

The wolf now began to run in earnest. “Next time 
the turtle shows his face. I’ll not be behind,” he said 



48 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


to himself. He was running fast and the sun was 
high when next a turtle’s voice was heard on the 
river. This time these words floated back to him, 
^‘Hurry up, you’re the slow one, Tm the winner!” and 
some distance ahead the water splashed as the turtle 
went under. 

The wolf knew now that it was a race for life and 
he went to it. On and on he ran. Nothing was heard 
but the crackling of brush and leaves as he leaped 
along. Then the silence was twice broken by turtles’ 
voices calling, “Hurry up!” 

The wolf ran like mad. His eyes were bloodshot, 
foam dropped from his mouth as he saw a turtle’s 
head rise again a few leaps ahead, and heard a calm 
voice say, “Hurry up, friend wolf, or you will lose 
your life. The goal is just around this bend in the 
river. 

The wolf plunged madly on. His legs were weak¬ 
ening under him, and he panted for breath. He ran 
around the curve, and there on the goal stone lay 
the turtle. 

The next moment the wolf was at the turtle’s feet 
begging for his life. The turtle thought upon the 
matter some time, for turtles are slow, then looking 
very wise and knowing, he said, “The wolf shall live. 
He shall return to his people. But ever after, let him 
remember that slow people sometimes have quick 
wits, and there is more than one way to win a race.’' 





WHY THE TEST DID NOT COME OEF 

A long time ago when the Six Nations—the 
Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, 
and Tuscaroras—were strong and great, six of the 
animals who thought themselves very strong and 
brave said they would have a test of strength and 
courage in the name of the Six Nations. Each animal 
said he would represent a nation. It was also agreed 
that there should be three nations on each side. 

The bobcat, the dog, and the fox took one side. 
The bear, the porcupine, and the wolf lined up on the 
other. It was agreed to meet under a tall pine tree 

49 



50 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


and see which of the three nations was the stronger. 

When the time set for the test came, the bear and 
the animals on his side arrived first. Not seeing any 
of the other side present, the bear climbed the tall 
pine to see if they were coming. 

He soon saw the cat approaching. The cat carried 
his tail over his shoulder in such a way that it looked 
like a white man’s gun. The bear then called down 
to the porcupine and wolf that the bobcat was 
coming with a white man’s gun on his shoulder. 

At this the wolf ran, and the porcupine hid himself 
in the thick leaves on the ground. The bear remained 
in the tree. 

Soon the bobcat came, with the dog and fox 
following. 

The bobcat could see no one about, so he thought 
the animals on the other side had not yet arrived. 
He noticed, however, that every once in a while the 
leaves on the ground near where he sat moved in a 
strange manner. Thinking he might get some good 
game while he waited, he sprang into them. A porcu¬ 
pine sprang out, throwing his quills in the face of 
the cat. 

This so frightened the cat he ran madly up the pine 
tree. The bear was so startled by the wild rush of 
the cat, he came tumbling down. The dog and the 
fox saw something falling, and they took to their 




Why the Test Did Not Come Off 51 


heels. Then the bear rolled over and saw the porcu¬ 
pine running wildly down the trail, throwing his 
quills in all directions. The bear picked himself up 
quickly and ran in an opposite direction. Up in the 
tree, the cat saw all the animals were madly running 
from something, so he too sprang from the tree and 
began to run for his life. 

The test of strength and courage never came off. 
Instead, the six brave contestants were running 
wildly from one another through the forest for their 
very lives—they thought. 

The wise old pine, who was never known to run 
away from anything, laughed softly that night as he 
whispered the story to the South Wind. 

“Fear is a powerful chieftain,’' he murmured in 
his low, calm voice; “he makes one to run from his 
friends; yes, even from himself." 




HOW THE DANCING STARS GOT 
INTO THE SKY 

In the sky there is a group of stars that ever 
twinkle and dance. They are called the Pleiades, or 
Dancing Stars. 

For ages people have wondered how these twin¬ 
kling dancing stars came to be. Many stories have 
been told of the mystery and wonder of their misty 
quivering light. 

The Indians, too, wondered at.them as they sat by 

their fires near the lodge doors and watched their 

star brothers dance in and out the world. 

52 





How Dancing Stars Got Into the Sky 53 


This is the story they tell of the dancing stars. 

First, however, you must know that the Indians 
several times each year hold thanksgiving feasts and 
dances to give thanks to the Great Spirit for all the 
good gifts he has given the Red children. 

Before the white man came, these ceremonies were 
held in the woods around a fire. Children did not 
attend these ceremonies in those days. 

It was very, very long ago, when these ceremonies 
were being observed, the Indians say, that this 
strange thing happened. 

The older people had gone to one of these thanks¬ 
giving ceremonies and had left the children in the 
lodges. After a time the larger boys tired of playing 
and called a council. Each said he would like very 
much to see what was done at these ceremonies. At 
this one of the boys suggested that a scouting party 
be formed. All agreed to the plan, and this boy was 
made chief of the party. 

He led them to a deep part of the wood where they 
could see the people and watch the ceremonies, but 
could not be seen. 

The ceremony began. The head faithkeeper rose 
and threw the tobacco on the fire. As the smoke rose 
and lifted his words to the Great Spirit, he gave 
thanks to the sun, their brother, that he had given 
them light and warmth by day; to the moon, their 



54 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


grandmother, that she had lighted for them the 
night; to the earth, their mother, that she had given 
them the trees, plants, flowers, fruits, grains, birds, 
animals and fish for their living. 

There was much speaking, much giving of thanks 
and praise by the people, then all would dance. After 
they had danced some time, there was a feast. 

The boys watched and listened well, for they had 
seeing eyes and hearing ears. Then they stole back 
to the settlement. 

Another council was held. They decided at this 
council that if they could not attend and take 
part in so beautiful a ceremony, they would hold one 
themselves. 

Next morning at sunrise, they were up and run¬ 
ning through the woods in search of a place to hold 
their feast and dance. The trail they followed led 
them to a high hill. An open place on the top of this 
hill was just the place for a ceremony. Here they 
agreed to meet when the blanket of night should have 
fallen, and to hold their ceremonial dance and feast. 

One boy was appointed to bring hominy, another 
meat, and another to secure the kettle in which to boil 
the hominy and meat. 

That day as the sun was setting, the boy who was 
to bring the hominy said to his mother, 'Tlease give 
me some hominy to cook.'' '‘There is enough already 



How Dancing Stars Got Into the Sky 55 


cooked/’ was the answer he received. The boy who 
was to bring meat was also unable to get it; and the 
kettle was refused to the other boy by his mother. 
So no food, nor kettle in which to cook it, was carried 
to the hilltop that night. 

However, as soon as the older people were asleep, 
the boys stole from the lodges and found the hilltop 
trail. The chief was there and had the fire burning. 
All were disappointed to hear there was no food for 
the feast, but the chief said they would have the 
ceremony without it. 

Throwing the tobacco on the fire as he had seen the 
faithkeeper do, the young chief began to give thanks 
for the sun, moon, stars, plants, trees, fruits, fishes, 
birds, beasts, just as he had heard the real chief. 
Then one of the boys began to beat the tom-tom— 
the little water drum—and all began to dance. 

Round and round and round the fire went the 
dancers. After a time the chief said, “There is no 
feast, so we will have more dance.” 

The chief sang louder, the drum beat faster and 
the feet of the dancing boys now scarcely touched the 
ground. Faster and faster whirled the dancing fig¬ 
ures about the fire. Soon their feet left the earth and 
they were dancing skyward. On and on, higher 
and higher, swirled those dancing figures. 

As the dancing party left the earth, the mother of 



56 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


the boy who had asked for the hominy awoke. She 
saw her boy was not asleep in the lodge. Not finding 
him outside, she went to the next lodge to see if he 
were there. 

The mother of that lodge called to her son to know 
if he had seen his friend. Receiving no answer, she 
went and found that her son was not wrapped in his 
blanket. 

The two mothers went outside the lodge and 
listened. Far away, voices in song were heard. The 
other lodges were then awakened. Boys were miss¬ 
ing in many. The people, now alarmed, began to 
search for the lost boys. They followed the voices 
until they came to the hill. There they saw their 
children dancing in wild glee about a fire that was 
ever Vising higher and higher in the air. Their faces 
and forms were plainly seen in the firelight as they 
danced skyward. 

The parents shouted and called to the children, 
begging them to return. Only one seemed to hear 
and looked back. The rest continued to look up and 
dance on into the sky. 

The chief, hearing his mother’s voice, looked back. 
At once he fell to earth and disappeared in the 
ground. 

With sad hearts the people stood and watched the 



How Dancing Stars Got Into the Sky 57 


children dance their way skyward. Then a voice was 
heard speaking: 

“We are now on an endless journey of dance and 
song. In summer we will journey toward the setting 
sun by way of the south. In the winter you will 
see us coming by way of the north toward the rising 
sun. When we are over the place from which we 
started, observe the ceremonies.’' 

Faster and faster the dancers whirled until they 
seemed but a ring of flame. Higher and higher they 
rose, until the ring became but a small circle of light. 
With straining eyes the people still kept watch, until 
the circle broke into many twinkling, dancing stars 
that took their places among the other Star People. 

Ever since, when these stars are at a certain place 
in their dance through the sky, the Indians observe 
the Midwinter Thanksgiving Ceremony, or New 
Year’s Dance. This always happens when the mid¬ 
winter, or Nisgo waugneh, moon is in the sky. 

All winter the mother of the boy chief who fell to 
earth, mourned for her son. Often she went to the 
spot where he had fallen. In the spring a tiny green 
shoot sprang from the place. Years passed and it 
became a beautiful pine tree. Osoah, the people 
called it. 

But few of the old people were living when one day 



58 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


the bark of the pine tree became bruised and red blood 
poured from the wound. When these old people saw 
it, they knew the pine tree was once the young boy 
chief who had fallen to earth when the dancers had 
danced their way into the sky world. 

9 

As they looked upon it, the blood began to pale and 
grow white. Then the spirit of the pine, of the boy 
chieftain, spoke to them in soft, low tones. 

“Take my blood and use it for the people. It will 
heal their hurts and cure their diseases. It will help 
them to make sure and swift their canoes and to do 
many things. I am Osoah, the guide of the forest 
children. My topmost branches point the way to men 
—point east and west. Use me, my bark, my wood, 
my leaves, my blood for the good of the people. Let 
them, like me, grow tall and strong, in summer and 
winter be ever the same. Let them, like me, ever 
reach up, up, up.” 

Saying this, the pine stretched his arms high 
toward the sky and sighed. He remembered his 
dancing friends, and longed to be with them in the 
sky world. This is why the pine tree grows so tall 
and straight today. He ever seeks the sun—and 
sighs for his brothers in the star world. 



WHY THE DOG HANGS OUT HIS 

TONGUE 


A hunter went far into a forest for game. He was 
alone on the hunting trail, save for his dog. None 
of his tribesmen went with him, but the hunter did 
not feel lonely, for his dog was ever by his side and 
they talked much. Each understood the other. 

Never had the hunter found a friend more true and 
helpful. Often the dog told him wonderful secrets 
of the wood and animal people. This would help him 
to secure his game more easily, for the dog heard and 
saw many things which the hunter did not. 

At night the dog would stretch himself by the 
campfire and sleep with one eye and ear open while 
the hunter took his rest. The hunter trusted his dog. 
With his faithful friend beside him, he knew no harm 
would come to him while he slept. 

Several days the hunter and his dog had been in 
camp when one night the dog scented trouble. He 
wakened the sleeping hunter and told him he must 
leave the camp at once. “Run for your life!” said the 
dog. “Ganosquah, the great stone giant of the forest, 
is coming!” 

The hunter had heard of this giant whose trail 

59 


60 


Around afi Iroquois Story Fire 


could be traced by the uprooted trees that lay in his 
path. He had seen his giant footprints in the rocks, 
and had been told how with his great hands he could 
scoop up the waters of a river, turn it from his course 
and cross on dry land. He knew that no one could 
meet the giant and live, so he said, “I will go.’’ 

^^Stay,” said the dog; “let me first lick your feet so 
you can run fast and on a long trail.” 

“Will you not run with me?” asked the man. 

“No,” replied the dog. “As your friend I must stay 
behind and protect you. I will hold the giant back 
and keep him from overtaking you. Now run for 
your life.” 

The man obeyed. All day he ran. By night his feet 
had become so tired and sore he stopped a few mo¬ 
ments to ease them. Hardly had he sat down to rest 
before the dog appeared and again licked his feet. At 
once the feet of the man were no longer tired and 
heavy, but light and eager to be off again. 

Still another day the man ran, and again at night 
the dog came and licked his friend’s feet and en¬ 
couraged him. He told him of what had happened 
and how he was driving back the great giant. 

“Before the sun again sets,” said the dog, “Ganos- 
quah will have been driven from the forest.” 

The man ran on, and the dog turned back to meet 
his enemy. 




“ "Will you not run with me?’ asked the man” 

’6i 


















































62 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


The next night the dog did not come as the man 
expected. He waited some time for him. At last he 
came, but he seemed very tired and his tongue hung 
from his mouth. 

The man asked his friend what had happened, but 
the dog could not tell him. He had lost his speech. 

Then the hunter knew that when the dog had driven 
Ganosquah from the forest, the great hunter had 
turned on him and taken his speech from him. He 
had done this because the dog had been a friend to 
man, had warned him of the coming of the giant, and 
had told him other secrets. 

Since that time dogs have not been able to run as 
fast, and when they do run and get tired they hang 
out their tongues; and since then dogs have been un¬ 
able to talk to men and to tell them the wonderful 
secrets which they know. But they still keep watch 
over man and bark loudly if they hear or see a stranger 
coming. They think it may be that old enemy of his, 
Ganosquah, the stone giant. 




HOW STRONGHEART WON HIS MATE 

Two boys who were great friends went into a wood 
one day. As they ran along one of the trails, a strange 
sad cry came from a tree nearby. Indian boys have 
seeing eyes and hearing ears. They also have time to 
stop and look into things, so these boys left the trail 
and followed the sound until they came to the tree 
from which it came. There, high on a great limb, sat 
a beautiful white owl. 

“Oh, come on,^’ said the larger boy. “It is only 
O o wah. I told you it was only an owl crying.’’ 

The boys made their way back to the trail, and soon 

the swift feet of the impatient one had carried him far 

down the trail. His friend followed slowly. He could 

not forget that strange sad voice that seemed to be 

63 







64 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


ever calling him. After a little he turned back, deter¬ 
mined to answer the call. He found the tree. The 
owl was still there, so the boy sat down and talked 
with the bird. 

The owl was very happy to have the boy return, for 
she knew that she had found a friend. She asked him 
to take her home with him. This he did, and many 
happy days the friends spent together in the boy’s 
lodge, for each understood the language of the other 
and they talked of many things. 

One day the owl told her boy friend that she was 
not a bird at all, but a human being. Twelve moons 
before she had been a happy Indian girl. Then one 
day in the forest she had met a woman with strange 
power. When this woman saw fear in the hearts of 
those she met, she would use her bad medicine on 
them. At sight of the old woman, the heart of the 
Indian girl stopped beating. All the fears she had 
ever known entered the lodge of her mind. They 
seized her breath, and her blood grew white and cold. 
She tried to run from the woman but her feet refused 
to go. 

When she came to herself it was night. All was 
very dark and still. She was afraid and again tried 
to run, but instead of running she went flying from 
tree to tree. She had become a bird, a beautiful white 
owl. 



How Strongheart Won His Mate 65 


For twelve moons she had been flying through the 
dark. Twelve moons she had been journeying 
through strange forests until now she had no fear. 
Twelve moons she had been searching for the one who 
was to release her from the power of the old woman. 
Twelve moons she had been calling from tree tops. 
“Whoo whoo! Whoo whoo! Whoo will do it?” but 
no one heard her cry until the day her good friend 
passed by on the trail. 

‘‘The heart of my friend is brave and true,” said the 
beautiful bird in a soft voice. “It is filled with love 
for all creatures; there is no fear in it. He alone can 
free me and restore me to my people.” 

The boy promised he would do all in his power and 
the owl said that she would show him the way. 

At once they determined to find the lodge of the old 
medicine woman. Before starting on the trail, how¬ 
ever, the owl directed the boy to place some of the 
blossoms of the goldenrod in a bowl of water and 
leave in the lodge. 

At sunset they were off, the owl flying from tree to 
tree leading the way. All night they journeyed. At 
sunrise they rested. All day they waited for the sun 
to make his journey through the sky world, for the 
owl was not accustomed to his shining face and could 
not see the trail she was seeking when he was out. 
As soon as the sun had made his run and had dropped 



66 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


down to sleep, the boy and the owl were once more 
on their trail. Another night’s travel and they were 
at the lodge of the medicine woman. 

While they had rested the owl had told the boy 
that everything possible would be done by the old 
woman to make him forget the purpose for which he 
had come. “And if you do forget me,” she said sadly, 
“I shall not regain human form. I must ever be an 
owl.” 

The boy assured the beautiful bird that he would 
not forget her. “I am brave and strong and true,” 
he said. “I have no fear; the old woman will have no 
power over me. I shall not forget you.” With these 
words he entered the lodge of the old woman, and the 
bird waited near in a tree. 

The boy was surprised to find many people within 
the lodge. They were singing and dancing, playing 
games and feasting. As he entered all circled about 
him, and steaming bowls of sweet-smelling soup made 
from corn and deer meat were brought to him. 

At first he refused to eat, neither would he join in 
the dance. But later when the old woman herself 
held the bowl to his mouth a little sip passed his lips. 
At once all thought of the beautiful owl had taken 
wing and his feet grew light and happy. Soon he was 
leaping and dancing with the rest. His friend was 
forgotten. 



How Strongheart Won His Mate 67 


Several days passed. From sunrise till sunset and 
again till sunrise there was feasting and dancing. But 
one night the boy grew weary of it all and stole from 
the lodge into the night. Once without, under the 
stars, he again remembered his beautiful owl and be¬ 
gan to call to her. But no owl answered from the 
trees nearby. She too had flown with the thoughts of 
her. She could not stay near when she was forgotten. 

The heart of the boy was very sad. He now recalled 
what she had told him. “My beautiful friend, I will 
seek her till I find her. 1 will not rest till she is free.’’ 

At once he plunged into the dark forest. All night 
he wandered now on this trail, now on that, ever call¬ 
ing, calling. Just as the birds began their whisper 
songs he thought he heard a weak cry, “Whoo whoo!” 
The sound came faintly. The boy ran swiftly up a 
narrow trail to the left and there lying on the ground 
by a spring was his beautiful owl. She was so weak 
she could not speak. Water was quickly poured into 
her mouth and in a few moments her eyes opened. 

The boy’s heart was filled with pain when he saw 
how near he had come to losing his friend by forget¬ 
ting her. Tears fell upon the beautiful white feathers. 
His grief seemed to bring new strength to the bird. 
“When you think of me, I am near and strong. When 
you forget me, I am far and weak,” she said. Soon 
they were ofif once more for the boy’s lodge, the owl 



68 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


flying from tree to tree, pointing the way as she had 
done before. 

On entering the lodge, the owl told the boy that the 
medicine woman was following and would soon be at 
the lodge door. She reminded him of the bowl of wa¬ 
ter in which were the blossoms of the goldenrod. 
“Sprinkle the lodge with this water and throw some 
upon the magic woman as she enters and all will be 
well,’’ said the bird; then she flew into the shadows of 
the lodge and perched on a deer horn. 

The old woman came. Fire leaped from her eyes 
and her face was like a storm cloud. She was very 
angry that the boy had escaped her. She opened her 
mouth to speak. Some of that wonderful yellow 
blossom water fell upon her. At once she dropped to 
the ground, the angry words becoming a hiss and she 
—a serpent. 

“Leave this lodge! Begone! Go far into the 
forest!” the boy commanded. “There shall you and 
all your tribe dwell forever, far from the trails of 
men.” 

The serpent disappeared and the boy turned to the 
owl to tell her that he had done as directed. But no 
words came. Three times he attempted to speak, 
three times he rubbed his eyes to see if he were awake, 
for there at his side stood the most beautiful Indian 
girl he had ever seen. 



H ow Strongheart Won His Mate 69 


“Your owl friend has flown, you have set her free. 
My name is Jahwoundee,'’ the girl added in a voice 
that was like the laughing waters of a mountain 
brook. “My father is chief of the people who live near 
the lake toward the rising sun. Will you now guide 
me to my people?’’ 

Jahwoundee and her boy friend were soon on their 
way toward the rising sun. Happy were their hearts 
and swift were their feet. But the boy found the trail 
all too short that led to the lodge of Jahwoundee. He 
wished it might never end. 

Glad were the hearts of the people to see again the 
maiden who was like a flower. A great feast and 
dance was given in her honor. When the dance had 
ended, the chief, Jahwoundee’s father, placed an 
eagle’s feather in the boy’s hair and gave him a new 
name. 

“Strongheart you shall now be called. But for 
your brave true heart, I would not have seen my 
daughter again. Always my lodge door shall be open 
to you. Sit by my Are when you will, ask what you 
will, and it shall be done.” 

The boy thanked the chief and set out on his return 
journey to his people. It was a long trail now that 
he followed. 

Moons passed. The boy became a man. Many 
eagle’s feathers were now in his headdress, for he had 



70 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


proven himself well. But now his thoughts were not 
of eagle feathers. Jahwoundee’s voice was ever in his 
ears, and the words he had spoken to the beautiful 
bird came again and again to his mind. “I will not 
forget you, I will not forget you,’’ he had said. No, 
he could not forget her even in that form. Now as a 
beautiful maiden she was ever with him. “When you 
think of me I am near,” she had said. 

At this thought his heart leaped within him. Jah- 
woundee was calling him again. She was near. He 
would seek her, he would answer her call. 

Before many suns had passed the young brave again 
stood at the door of the chief. It ^was open The 
great chief welcomed him and gave him a seat by the 
fire. 

And this time when he left the lodge of the chief, 
he did not set forth alone. Jahwoundee, his beautiful 
bird friend was with him. She had consented to re¬ 
turn with him to his people and to sit at his wigwam 
door. 




HOW A BIRD TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE 

DOWN 


There is a shy little bird that lives deep in the 
woods. Sometimes he may be seen creeping up and 
down tree-trunks, and running far out on their out¬ 
stretched arms. Every once in a while he will slip 
under one of these friendly arms and come up on the 
other side As he does this, he will say, san, jee 
san, jee san!” 

Once a very long time ago, the Indians say, this 
little bird called together all the birds and asked them 
to come to a certain great oak tree, when the sun was 
high, to see the wonderful, wonderful thing that he 
could do. 

So the birds left their lodge building and their little 

and came to the great oak, when the sun was 

71 


ones 






72 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


high, as the little bird had asked. From far and near 
they came, large and small birds, birds with gay col¬ 
ored feathered suits, and birds with plain brown and 
gray suits. 

The little bird waited until the great oak was filled 
with birds, then he flew in among them and an¬ 
nounced that he would now show them the wonder¬ 
ful, wonderful thing that he could do. 

At this the birds stopped their talking and singing 
and watched to see what this ^Vonderful, wonderful 
thing’’ was which this little bird could do. 

The little bird flew to the earth and then began to 
creep, creep slowly up the trunk of the oak. All the 
birds held their breath as he passed out on to a great 
limb. When he was far out on the limb, he suddenly 
slipped under it and came up on the other side. 

“Jee san, jee san, jee san!” sang the little bird with 
a proud flirt of his tail, as he darted under and over, 
under and over, under and over. This meant, ^‘See, 
I turn the world upside down!” 

At this the birds laughed long and loud. Some 
whistled, and others called loudly to him. The owl 
hooted and asked, '‘Whoo whoo, whoo whoo turned 
the world upside down? Whoo whoo?” And some 
mischievous little birds answered, ^'Tsee tsee 1 He he! 
,Tsee tsee! He he!” 



How a Bird Turned World Upside Down 73 


The other birds then told the little bird that he had 
not turned the world upside down at all, that he had 
only turned himself upside down. 

The little bird was so surprised and so ashamed to 
be laughed at by all the birds, he crept off into a deep 
wood. There he has always lived under cover, and 
there he may still be seen creeping up and down tree- 
trunks, running under and over limbs, still turning 
the world upside down. 

“Jee san, jee san, jee san 




HOW THE BUGS OVERCAME THE WORMS 

There was once a great battle fought between the 
bugs and the worms, the Indians say—the Indians 
call all insects “bugs/^ It was in the olden times 
when the worms did not live in the ground, but 
crawled on the top of the earth in the sun. This 
life made them much larger and stronger than 
they are now; but alas! like many of the earth chil¬ 
dren, they came to know their strength too well. 
They grew proud and selfish and quarrelsome, and 
boasted of their great strength and power. They 
moved about like great chiefs, and measured off the 
earth as though they owned it. Beautiful plants and 
flowers were destroyed by them as they passed. They 
ate up everything under their feet as they crawled 
about, and boasted in loud voices, “Worm People are 

great. There shall be only worms on earth.’’ 

74 








How the Bugs Overcame the Worms 75 


After a while these worms were not content to 
make war on the plant people only, their brothers of 
the earth, they must conquer the winged people of the 
air—the worms that Sun after sun they had 

watched these winged brothers flying far and near, 
high and low. They saw what good times they were 
having, how fast they could travel. All day they 
heard their happy voices buzzing and singing, and 
saw the beautiful colors flashing from their wings in 
the sunlight. The worms did not like it; they were 
jealous. 

At last one worm bolder than the rest could endure 
it no longer. He crawled over to a beetle that was 
walking near and challenged him. 

‘T am more powerful than you,’’ said the worm. 
can do greater things.” 

“What can you do?” asked the beetle, lighting on 
a bush nearby. 

“I can travel faster,” said the worm. “I can beat 
you in the race.” 

“All right,” said the beetle, “we will have a race.” 

The distance to be covered was agreed upon, and 
they started. The worm measured off the earth 
distance as fast as ever he could. The beetle flew 
swiftly away. Of course the beetle arrived long be¬ 
fore the worm came crawling to the goal. 



76 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


'‘You have beaten me in a test of speed/' said the 
worm, “but I am stronger, I can overpower you/' 

“All right," again said the beetle, “come on and try 
your strength with me." 

For a short time they wrestled, but soon the worm 
had to give up. Those powerful wings of the beetle 
worked like magic. With them he could swoop down 
on his enemy with power, and with as great ease 
he could take wing and escape any attack made by 
the worm. The worm was soon overpowered, but not 
conquered. He would not give up. 

“It is true that you have beaten me alone and single- 
handed but my tribe can overcome your tribe," said 
the worm. 

“Very well," said the beetle, “we will put the tribes 
to test." 

The beetle summoned all the bugs to council. From 
far and near they came, bees and beetles, butterflies 
and dragonflies, wasps and moths. 

The worm called a council also of his people. From 
long and short trails they came, large and small 
worms, fat and lean worms; everything that could 
crawl came. 

When all were lying about the council tree, the 
chief of the worms spoke. He said, “Worms are great. 
They have strong power. Let us show the wing 
people that live in the air what we can do. Let us 



H ow the Bugs Overcame the Worms 77 


overcome and kill off this tribe that fly without 
feathers. We are the stronger, we can fight longer.’^ 

It was agreed by both tribes that it should be a war 
of many suns, that each would fight till the other gave 
up. It was also agreed that neither should eat until 
one had surrendered. 

The bumble bees then gave the war cry. There was 
a great buzzing and booming, and the fight began. 

It was a great battle. Twenty-eight suns they 
fought, all the time the harvest moon hung in the 
night sky. Many grew weak and fell on both sides. 
Food was all about them, plenty of it, but no one could 
eat. 

At last the worm tribe began to grow weaker and 
weaker. They could not withstand those winged at¬ 
tacks from on high. They could not fight winged 
warriors. They could not overcome those brothers 
that live in the high place. 

Again and again they heard the chief of the bugs 
calling to his people, “Fight from the high place! 
Never meet the enemy on his own ground! Never 
use his weapon! Fight from the high place!” and the 
winged people obeyed. 

As the harvest moon dropped out of the sky, the 
worms surrendered. They had lost so many of their 
people, they were obliged to give up. Those that sur¬ 
vived then turned and crawled into the ground, they 



78 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


were so ashamed. There they have been living ever 
since. 

But the Indians say that the Red children have 
never forgotten the words of the chief of the bugs. 
^‘Fight from the high place! Never meet the enemy 
on his own ground, never use his weapon! Fight 
from the high place!’’ 



HOW CORN AND BEANS CAME TO BE 


Perhaps the boys and girls do not know that the 
vegetables that appear most often on our dining 
tables—the corn, bean, squash, and potato—are the 
gifts of the Red children. We should be very grate¬ 
ful for these, and the many other gifts the Indian has 
given us. 

The Senecas call the corn and beans their “sus- 
tainers of life, or those we live by,^’ but they say there 
was once a time when there were no corn or beans, 
and men hunted for their food. This was before the 
Great Spirit had given the Red children these gifts. 

For many moons the hunters then followed the 
track of bear and deer and brought back game. But 
at last there was no game to be found, and the people 
were without food. Children cried with hunger, and 
the old people dropped like yellow leaves in the fall 
when the Frost Chief has passed. Famine had en¬ 
tered the lodge doors. Only the strong lived. 

The chief of the people had a daughter beautiful 
as a flower. Gahana she was called. The people 
loved her, for Gahana’s heart was as kind and loving 
as her face was beautiful. Many young braves sought 

79 


80 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


her but Gahana thought only of one, Gauwii (Mid¬ 
sky), as he was called because he stood strong and 
tall and straight among the people, and had far-seeing 
eyes. 

The time was near when Gauwii would make 
Gahana his wife. A few nights before the day came 
on which she was to go and sit at the lodge door of 
Gauwii, Gahana had a dream. In the dream a voice 
spoke and said, “If an Indiali maiden shall go the Sky 
Trail, the people shall have food and live.” 

Till the sun set, and again until it rose, Gahana 
thought on this dream and the words that had been 
spoken; then she sought Gauwii, She asked that he 
meet her by the river when the blanket of night had 
fallen. 

That night as Soika Gaakwa—the moon—showed 
her face, Gahana made her way to the river trail. 
There on a small hill by the singing river Gauwii 
waited for her. She told him of the dream and what 
the Voice had said. He listened but spoke not. Then 
she said, “Gahana is that maiden. She will go that 
the people may live.” 

At this Gauwii rose and lifting his head high spoke, 
“Gahana shall not go alone. Gauwii—Midsky—shall 
travel Great Sky trail with her.” 

In joy the maiden threw her arms about her lover. 
A strange white light streamed from the sky and 




“There stood a wonderful corn stalk” 


8i 















82 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


hovered over them. It wrapped itself about them like 
a blanket. There came a soft rustling and sighing 
through the air, a breath sweet as the waters of the 
maple. Then all was silent and the moon dropped 
out of the sky. After a little the birds began their 
whisper songs; the east was shot with light. It 
was day. 

At sun-up, the old chief, Gahana’s father, made his 
way by the river to the hilL It was to this place each 
morning he came to sing his sun song, a song of praise 
and thanks to the Great Spirit that He had permitted 
the sun, their brother, to look in on them. When he 
reached the place, there on the hill stood a wonderful 
corn stalk, and around the corn stalk with its waving 
tassels and plumes was twined a beautiful bean with 
sweet-smelling blossoms and velvety pods. 

As the chief stood in wonder before them, the spirit 
of the bean spoke. “O, great chief, my father, listen! 
Gahana, the Bean maiden, speaks Once she sat in 
your lodge and this corn stalk her arms enfold was 
once Gauwii, her Indian lover. 

“Gahana and Gauwii have left their lodges, they 
have gone from you that the people might live Take 
the corn and beans which we give you, plant them by 
the river and the people shall have food/' 

The old chief did as the Bean maiden, Gahana, said. 
Soon a great field of corn with full ears waved and 



rrm 


How Corn and Beans Came to Be 83 


rustled in the wind by the river, and around each corn¬ 
stalk was twined a bean, sweet with flowers and velvet 
pods. Since then the Red Children have called the 
corn and bean their “sustainers of life/’ Since life was 
given for them, they in turn can give life. 

Famine never again entered the lodge doors. There 
have been corn and beans a plenty, for the spirits of 
Gauwii and Gahana still hover over the flelds. 


“DA YAW DA NFS HO TAH” 

Bean Song 

Sung by Simeon Skye, recorded by Mary Wolff 


3 


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It; 


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Yu wah no heh yu wah no-o heh. yu wah no heh, yu wah 


:e 




:g— 




‘3- -3- 




4z=l; 




no-o heh; yu wa-ah no heh. yuwahno - 6 heh, yu wah no heh, 

3=:=:==: 


5 : 


3 : 


-3- 3^ -s>- 

yu wah n^^o heh; 






-3-—-3:— 

yu - u heh 






:t^ 


3^ ^3^ 3- 3- 

e hah yah ne, yah ah wah, 


Z3C:=d 3= 


— 1 

J 


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'3' ■"I ' '"1-1 

3 - 3 —l““l 3 

— 1 — 1 -I"' 1 — i 



zz - ^^ 

L dm- . 

G. ^ J — A ^ ^ ^ 


heh eh. hah yah neh eh yu wah no heh yu wah no 6 heh; 


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Yu wa ah no heh yu wah no 0 heh. weh hah. 















































































































WHY THE WOODCHUCK COMES OUT IN 

MIDWINTER* 

On the second day of the midwinter moon, the 
woodchuck comes out of his lodge. The White man 
says that he comes out to see the weather, that he is 
looking for his shadow, and if he sees it he knows 
that Old Man Winter is still chief of the world, and 
that he had better go back and stay in his warm lodge 
until the Winter chief has departed on the great 
North Trail. 

But the Indian knows that it is not his shadow only 
that the woodchuck is looking for. He has another 
purpose in coming out of his lodge; neither does he 

♦By permission of The Outlook. 


84 



Why the Woodchuck Comes Out 85 


return to his lodge, as the White man says, when once 
he has come out. 

The Indians are very wise in the ways of the wood 
people. They know their little brothers of the wood 
better than the White man, and they say this is why 
the woodchuck leaves his lodge: 

It was a long time ago that a mother fox and her 
children were living in a hollow log. A very nice 
home they had had in this log as long as the little fox 
children could remember. 

One day as the fox children were playing near the 
lodge, a woodchuck happened by. He saw the fox 
children at play and watched them until they ran 
home to their mother in her lodge. 

“That must be a fine wigwam to live in,” thought 
the woodchuck. “I will ask to come in and stay with 
them awhile.” 

Soon the woodchuck stood at the door of the fox- 
lodge “May I come in?” he asked. The mother fox 
was kind She looked at the woodchuck with her 
keen, bright eyes and then said, “Come in!” 

The woodchuck thanked the fox and finding a 
warm, soft place in the lodge, he went to sleep. When 
he waked, the foxes had left the lodge and were not to 

be found. 

It was some time before the woodchuck saw the 
foxes again, but one day he came upon the children at 



86 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


play. The foxes were now no longer small, but nearly 
as large as their mother. Again the woodchuck 
watched and discovered where they were stopping. 
Again he asked that he might be allowed to enter their 
lodge. 

The mother fox told him that he was welcome not 
only to share their lodge, but that he might have it. 
''The lodge is yours,'’ she said, "if you wish it. My 
children are growing fast, and need a larger home. 
They are strong and swift of foot. They can run far. 
It is time for my family to move on. Foxes do not 
live long in one lodge. Like the Indian, we like to 
travel and make camp often." 

The sun was already on the Southland Trail, the 
birds were also calling together their tribes, the leaves 
were beginning to fall and the nights were growing 
cold. The woodchuck remembered this and thanked 
the fox kindly. He said he would be glad to take her 
house for the winter. 

Soon it grew so cold, the woodchuck found he must 
make the lodge warmer if he were to occupy it all 
winter, so he went out and sharpened his teeth and 
nails on the hardest tree that he could find. He must 
have sharp tools with which to work. 

Then the woodchuck began to build a lodge that 
Old Man Winter could not enter. The doors were so 
long and narrow and dark, he knew the Winter Chief- 



Why the Woodchuck Comes Out 87 


would never be able to find his way through them. 
From sunrise till sunset he dug and dug with his hand 
tools, and sawed and sawed with his teeth, until he 
had a fine warm winter lodge; then he sat down to 
enjoy it. 

But soon he began to be hungry. He looked about, 
but he saw nothing to eat. He had forgotten to bring 
any food with him. “Well,’’ thought he, “it is too 
cold to go out to eat and I am too comfortable in my 
warm wigwam; I will make believe that I have some¬ 
thing to eat,” and the woodchuck sat and licked and 
licked and licked his fat hands and smacked his lips 
until he believed he had had a good meal. This he 
did every time he was hungry, and he found his hun¬ 
ger was satisfied. Then after he had finished his 
make-believe meal, he would count off slowly on his 
fingers the moons that must pass before he would be 
able to leave his lodge. 

One moon, two moons, three moons, four moons, 
five moons must come and go before Old Man Winter 
would depart and he could go again on the trail and 
sit in the sun at his lodge door. It was a long time. 

“The fox is always on the trail, she is not afraid of 
Old Man Winter, her blanket must be warm,” thought 
the woodchuck as he sat there counting the moons 
that must pass before it would be well for him to 
venture forth in his blanket. “I wish I could find a 




88 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


blanket like hers/’ and the woodchuck again fell to 
counting and naming the moons. 

The '^Leaf-falling Moon” had passed, and the 
"Moon of First Cold” was almost gone. Then would 
come the "Moon of Great Cold,” the "Moon of Long 
Nights.” "One, two, three !” counted the woodchuck. 
After the "Moon of Long Nights” had gone, the 
"Moon of Lengthening Days” would come. "One, 
two, three, four!” and then—the woodchuck pressed 
hard on his fifth finger—and then, it would be time 
to leave the lodge, for the "New Year Moon” would 
wake all creatures from their sleep and he would go 
out and look for that wise old mother fox. There 
was something he would ask her that she could 
tell him. 

"One, two, three, four, five!” Again and again 
the woodchuck counted off those moons after finish¬ 
ing his make-believe meal. His hands were not fat 
now as when he entered the lodge, he had licked them 
so much, and his fingers were spread far apart, he 
had counted the moons on thexn so often. This is 
why the woodchuck makes such a broad track today, 
the Indians say. 

At last the five moons pass. It is time to leave the 
lodge. The "New Year Moon” calls him forth. He 
will go out and search for that old mother fox until 
he finds her. He does not wish to stay in another 



Why the Woodchuck Comes Out 89 


winter and eat make-believe meals. He will get a 
blanket like those the foxes wear; then he can stay out 
all winter, get his own game, and have a good time. 
That old mother fox is very wise. She knows many 
things. He must find her, so in and out one lodge 
after another the woodchuck runs, looking for her. 

He never goes back to his own lodge when once 
he has come out, for he knows she is not there. But 
into one hole after another the woodchuck runs, 
searching all the earth and tree lodges. He must find 
that old mother fox. He must learn from her how 
to make a blanket so warm that Old Man Winter can¬ 
not blow his breath through it. 

This is why, the Indian says, the woodchuck 
comes out in midwinter. He is not looking for his 
shadow, or to see what kind of weather it is. He is 
looking for that wise old mother fox, and he cannot 
find her. 



WHY THE SUN TRAVELS EROM EAST TO 

WEST 


The snn is a swift runner. Every day he makes a 
journey through the sky world. The Indians say he 
is stretching a line across the sky. Every day finds 
him at his work, for his work is never done. One of 
the Indians, a long, long time ago, found out why 
it was that the sun was always so busy running 
through the sky, and he told the others, so now all 
the Indian people know. 

It seems that this Indian thought much on the 
things of the sky world. It was not enough for him 
to hunt and fish, to make fire and eat and sleep as 
did most of the other Indians ; he longed to know of 
the wonderful things up in the sky world. 

Day after day this Indian sat at his lodge door and 
watched the sun move across the sky from the east 
to the west. Day after day he wondered what he was 
doing. Each morning the sun was up early at his 
task. Often the Indian wished he could get up there 
and see him at his work. 

Now those who are good, and believe that the good 

90 


“Day after day he wondered’’ 



91 



















































92 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


and beautiful things that they desire will come to 
them, always get their wishes. It was so with this 
man, for he lived a good life and believed that the 
Great Spirit would give him his wish to see the sky 
world and learn many wonderful things. 

So it happened one day that some strange men came 
to see the Indian. These men said that they had 
come to take him into the sky world. They had been 
told, they said, that he wished to see the wonders of 
the sky trails. So they had come to be his guides. 

The Indian thanked the men. He said he was glad 
they had come, for he had long wished to go. Soon 
the Indian and the men were on the trail up the moun¬ 
tain that leads to the sky world. 

When the top of the mountain was reached, the 
men drew aside the blue blanket that hung over it, 
and they passed on into the sky world. Higher and 
higher they climbed over cloud mountains of white, 
faster and faster they ran along great stretches of 
open blue. At last they reached the place where each 
day the sun comes up over the, rim of the earth world. 

It was so warm there the Indian could not get very 
near, but he could see the sun at his work. All day the 
Indian watched as the sun drew a line of wonderful 
gold light across the sky. The line shone so bright, 
and the sun smiled and grew so warm and happy as 
he worked, the Indian could not get as near as he 



Why the Sun Travels from East to West 93 


would have liked, but he could see how glad and 
strong the sun made all living things on the earth be¬ 
low. Men whistled and women sang as they went 
about their work. Children laughed and played, birds 
sang as they built their nests, and all the green things 
turned their faces to catch the smile of the sun, and 
tried to reach the beautiful trail of light he was draw¬ 
ing up there in the sky. 

On and on went the sun, stretching that golden line 
until he had traveled the entire distance of the sky 
world. When he reached the edge on the opposite 
side he was very tired. He lay down to rest, and as 
he fell asleep he dropped over the edge of the world 
and was lost to sight. Then it grew dark. 

The Indian sat for a time in the dark and quiet. 
Then he saw a soft light coming from the place in the 
east where the sun had that morning begun to draw 
the line. The soft white shining grew brighter, and 
soon the moon appeared. Her soft moccasins made 
no noise as she came. Silently she ran along the path 
the sun had that day traveled. Slowly she wound up 
the line he had that day stretched until no trace of it 
was seen in the sky from the east to the west. Then 
the soft light grew pale, the moon disappeared, and 
it was dark again. 

Next morning the sun rose to find his work of the 
day before undone. Again he went to his task and 



94 


Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


stretched the line of light from east to west through 
the sky world. Again he grew tired as he finished his 
work, and as he dropped asleep, fell over the edge of 
the world. Again the moon came in the dark and 
wound up the line he had that day drawn across the 
sky. 

So this is why, the Indians say, the sun must each 
day run through the sky world, and make that long 
journey from the east to the west. This is also why 
his work is never finished, for the moon, each night, 
undoes the work that he has done that day. She winds 
up the beautiful line of light he has made through the 
sky to help the earth children to look up. 




WHY WE HAVE MOSQUITOES 

The Indians believe that the Great Spirit made 
everything good, and for the use and help of the Red 
children. 

Once they say there lived a great mosquito. The 
Great Spirit had made it to destroy the worms and 
insects that so often live on plants and trees. 

Eor some time the mosquito did the work that the 
Great Spirit intended he should do, and the lives of 
many plants and trees were saved. 

Then one day the mosquito got a taste of human 
blood. O how he liked it! He liked it so well he be¬ 
gan to sing a song about it. No more would he eat of 
the insects that troubled plants and trees; the red 

blood of human beings pleased his taste better, so 

95 









96 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


every man, woman or child he met he would attack 
and feed upon the blood. 

The Red Children saw that if they were to live the 
great mosquito must go, and one day all the warriors 
set out with their bows and arrows to overcome him. 

A long, long chase they gave him across country. 
At last they overtook him and conquered him. He 
was then thrown against a rock, and as he struck the 
rock, little drops of blood flew in all directions. From 
every drop of blood, there sprang a mosquito, and the 
air was filled with them. 

Since these little insects are the blood relatives of 
the great mosquito, they have the same tastes and de¬ 
sires. This is why mosquitoes still like to taste the 
blood of human beings, and why they still declare 
themselves the enemies of men. 

‘^Our great-grandfather was overcome by these 
men,’’ they say, “but they shall not overcome us. We 
are many, and he was one.” 




WHY THE MAPLE WEARS A BEADED DRESS 

Once, the Indians say, the trees did not stand still, 
as they do now, but moved and walked about. 

And one day a Maple Maiden came singing down 
a trail. Her dress was fresh and green and rustled 
softly as she passed. In her hand she carried a wooden 
bowl. The Maple Maiden was fair and good to look 
upon. 

Near this trail there stood a young, tall, and hand¬ 
some White Oak. He saw the Maple Maiden passing 
and called to her. 

^‘What have you in your wooden bowl?’’ asked the 
young Oak. 


97 


98 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


some of the sweet water my people furnish 
for man to drink/’ replied the Maiden. 

^^Give me the drink/’ said the young Oak eagerly. 

The Maple Maiden handed the bowl of sweet water 
to him. He drank long and deep. Never had he 
drunk of such sweet water before. It seemed the 
most refreshing drink he had ever had. The Oak was 
so grateful he bowed low his thanks to the Maiden. 

As he bent his tall, proud head to her, some 
green acorns that fringed the leafy blanket that was 
wrapped about his shoulders fell to the ground. He 
stooped and gathered them into the bowl, then strung 
them on a string of his shredded bark. When he had 
finished, he threw the string of green acorns about 
the Maple Maiden’s neck. 

“Wear them for me,” he said in a low voice. “You 
give me sweet water to drink, I give you beads with 
which to trim your dress.” 

Ever since then, the Indian says, the Maple has had 
no eyes but for the Oak. Always she may be found 
standing near him, and every spring she puts on for 
him a new gauzy-winged dress which she always 
trims with those green beads that he gave her so 
long ago. 



HOW A SONG CHANGED THE WORLD 


On the edge of a great swamp near an Indian 
village there once stood an Indian lodge. In this 
lodge there lived an Indian mother and her son. The 
father’s heart had been made sad by the people of the 
village. They did not understand his thoughts and 
ways. They thought it strange that he did not wish 
to go on the war-path, and that he disliked to kill 
his little brothers of the wood. So unkindly did they 
speak and act, the man at last left his home in the 
village, and built a lodge in the swamp. There he 
lived with his wife and son, and taught the boy many 
beautiful things. 

But at sunrise one day, the father went on “The 
Long Trail”—the Great Sky Way—and the mother 
and boy were left alone in the lodge. They continued 
to live in the swamp, for they had come to -know 
and to love the Animal, Bird, Plant and Tree People 
in it. These Swamp People were their friends. They 
gave them berries, roots and nuts to eat, and skins 
with which to make their clothing. But the people 
of the village still passed them by with unkind words. 

The village people spent much time on the hunting 

99 




100 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


trail and the war-path. When they returned they 
clothed themselves in beaded skins and ornaments 
which they had taken from some other tribe, and 
danced and feasted, and boasted much of their power 
and their possessions. They had become a proud and 
selfish people. 

If the woman and her son passed through the 
village, the people laughed and made fun of their 
swamp-skin clothes. These people had not seeing 
eyes, that looked within; they saw only the outside 
of things, things as they seemed to be. They did not 
see how beautiful, wise and kind the minds and hearts 
of the woman and her son were. 

The boy was now a man in form. Very unlike the 
young men of the village was this young man, for 
great and good thoughts were always in his mind, 
and they had made his body strong and fine. He had 
lived close to the people of the swamp and looked 
long at the stars, and they had taught him many 
wonderful things. 

One day the young men of the village thought to 
play a trick on him. They told him that the chief's 
daughter had sent for him. The young man himself 
spoke only words of truth, so he believed what the 
young men said. 

That evening as the sun was low, the young man 
stood before the lodge of the chief. The great bear- 


( 

< 



How a Song Changed the World 101 


skin that hung* before the lodge door was soon lifted, 
and an Indian girl stepped out. Her face was beauti¬ 
ful, but a dark cloud suddenly passed over it as she 
saw the young man. The young men who came to 
her father’s lodge were clothed in rich skins and wore 
many ornaments. This young man was dressed in 
the skins of swamp animals. She did not see how 
strong and fine his form was, nor how clear and 
straight-glanced were his eyes. The dark cloud had 
dimmed her sight. Hers were not good eyes. 

Before the young man could speak, the girl had told 
him to be gone, and never come to her lodge again. 
She then turned quickly and entered the lodge, draw¬ 
ing the bearskin close. At this, some of the village 
young men who had followed sprang from their 
hiding-places and laughed and jeered at the young 
man, calling him ^‘swamp chief” until he disappeared 
in the great swamp. 

The young man’s heart was heavy. He felt so 
lonely he did not return to his mother’s lodge, but 
went into a deep wood and sat down. As he sat there 
on a log, there came a voice from behind. The voice 
said, “Do not feel lonely and sad. I will help you. 
I know your heart can be made light. What the 
young men told you is true; it will come to pass.” 

In surprise the swamp chief turned and saw a 
strange-looking old woman. “If you learn to sing 



102 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


this song that I shall sing to you, it will bring the 
chief’s daughter and all good things to you.” 

The woman began to sing, and the moment she did 
so, it seemed to the young man that something inside 
of him caught the song, and began too to sing. There 
seemed to be another self within him, and that self 
had always known the song. It poured out of his 
heart as water bubbles from a spring. It was a song 
of love, a song of praise and thanks for all the good 
gifts of the Great Spirit. He had no need to learn 
this song with his mouth; his heart sang it so well 
his mouth was full of the song. A new strength and 
power came to him as he sang. His heart grew light 
and his feet happy. The old woman nodded her head 
wisely. She had no need to teach him this song; he 
knew it. 

“Sing the song three nights,” she said, and then 
suddenly she was gone. 

With swift feet the young man returned to his 
mother’s lodge. The next night as the Star People 
looked out from the great sky tent, the young man 
stood in his lodge door and sang. Many people came 
from the village to the edge of the swamp and 
listened. 

The following night be again stood at the lodge 
door and sang the song. Many more of the village 
people made their way to the swamp that night, and 




“The chief’s daughter made her way to the singer” 


103 





















































































104 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


they came nearer the lodge. On the outside of the 
circle, the face of the chief’s daughter was seen. 

The song of praise and love was ever with the 
young man. The skies of the swamp world were 
never so blue, and the sun never shone so bright and 
warm. The third night came. Again the star brothers 
looked down upon their swamp brothers and watched 
and smiled. 

That night the singer sat in his lodge door as he 
sang. Soon the swamp lodge was surrounded by the 
village people; the whole tribe came to listen to 
the song of love and praise. No one remained in the 
village. The kind face of Soika-gaakwa—She who 
shines at night—looked down upon them. The 
swamp was still, no sound was heard but the song. 
Suddenly there was a stir among the people and a 
murmur ran through them as the chief’s daughter 
was seen to make her way quickly to the singer and 
seat herself by his side. He was wrapped in the same 
worn-looking blanket he had worn to her lodge door, 
but the chief's daughter did not see the blanket now; 
she saw only the light in his eyes, and heard only that 
song in his heart. 

When the song was ended the chief stood at his 
daughter’s side. '‘We will now return to our lodge,” 
he said. But the girl quickly plaited together her 
long braids of beautiful hair and put them about the 



How a Song Changed the World 105 


singer^s neck. This meant that she loved the singer, 
and that their hearts were as one. Then in the hear¬ 
ing of all the people she spoke, '^Oh, Chief, my father! 
This is now the home of your daughter. She will sit 
at this lodge door.'’ 

The chief saw that his daughter loved the singer, 
and he said, “It shall be as she wishes." Then he 
asked the young man to return with them, but the 
singer said, “Not now; some time I will come!" 

So the chief’s daughter remained at the swamp 
lodge. She thought it beautiful, for she saw it now 
with seeing eyes, eyes of love. 

After the people had gone and the chief’s daughter 
and his mother slept, the swamp chief made his way 
to the place where he had met the strange old woman. 
She had told him to return the third night, and she 
would speak with him again. 

When he reached the log the strange-looking 
woman was there. “I know all that has happened," 
she said. “The chief’s daughter has come to you and 
your heart is glad. Continue to sing the song I 
brought to you. It is a song from the Great Spirit. 
Sing it always in your heart, and it will bring all good 
things to you. Treat all people alike, and with kind¬ 
ness, those that live in the swamp, and those that live 
in the high places. Keep the song in your heart, and 
you will be as a brother to all. All good will come to 



106 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


you, your corn will grow tall and your harvest will 
be plentiful. Sing this song and the people will come 
to you for help and honor you. I am your grand¬ 
mother, the whippoorwill. I stay in the wet, dark 
places and help those who have been driven from the 
high places of the sun. Always remember me, and 
when you hear my voice you will know that spring is 
here and planting time has come. I seem to be silent 
and sad, but things are not always as they seem. My 
heart is glad, for I bring a song of great power and 
good from the Great Spirit to all who are able to hear 
it and to learn to sing it. It is a magic song. It 
changes everything. It makes dark, wet places to be 
warm and bright as the sun.’’ 

The strange old woman had gone. Like a shadow, 
she had slipped away, and far within the tangled 
swamp the strange cry of the whippoorwill was heard. 

Back the young man went to his lodge. Love and 
happiness and plenty seemed to walk and run with 
him. He found the chief’s daughter baking cakes 
for him, and singing as she worked. The smile of 
the Great Spirit rested on the swamp lodge, for the 
dwellers of that lodge had learned how to sing in 
their hearts the song of praise and love to the Great 
Spirit. 

Soon all came to pass as the old woman had said. 
The people came and asked that he return to the 



How a Song Changed the World 107 


village and become their chief. A new and beautiful 
lodge was built for him, and the Spirits of Good and 
Plenty ever sat at the door. 

The swamp chief became a chief of the high place, 
but he never forgot those who still lived in the wet 
and dark places. Because he loved all men, and pro¬ 
tected and helped every living creature, he was made 
a peace chief. The people left their war trails, and 
spoke only kind words. Many learned to sing the 
song of love and praise from the great peace chief. 
Every spring the tribe watched for the coming of the 
whippoorwill. They remembered it was she who 
had brought the song from the Great Spirit and they 
welcomed and protected her from harm. 




WHY WATERS LAUGH AND SHOUT 
WHEN WINDS BLOW 

One day when the earth was very young the Winds 
came out from their sky lodge and suddenly began 
to chase the Waters about as they were playing and 
running over the earth. 

The Waters did not wish to play with the Winds 
of the sky. They were very happy sporting with the 
earth children, so they said to the Winds, ^^Go back 
to your lodge in the sky, leave us alone, let us play by 
ourselves. The earth belongs to us; it is our play¬ 
ground, not yours.’’ 

“The Winds are stronger and more powerful than 

io8 












Why Waters Laugh and Shout 109 


the Waters/’ boasted the Winds. ‘‘We will play with 
whom and where we wish.” 

For a time the Waters were so surprised they could 
not speak. Then the chief of the Great Sea Waters 
sent a swift arrow of spray among the Winds. The 
Winds ceased their boasting and fell back. All was 
very still, and the voice of the chief was heard loud 
and strong, “Let the Winds prove the words they 
have spoken. The Waters of earth challenge the 
Winds of sky to meet them at sunrise in a test of 
strength.” 

“It shall be,” replied the chief of the Winds. “The 
Winds of sky accept the challenge of the Waters of 
earth. At sunrise they will meet the Waters—and 
play with them.” 

The Winds withdrew to the sky world, and the 
Waters ran swiftly to the council called by the chief. 

That night a great rain fell. Some of the Red 
children think that the heart of the great Sky Father 
was sad because the children of air and the children 
of earth would not play together. Be that as it may, 
the rain awoke the sleeping Waters. One after 
another they arose and began to run about in great 
excitement. At sunrise the Waters were running 
over the great plains and through the valleys like 
herds of wild buffalo. 

The Winds in the sky heard their shouts and cries 



110 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


as they leaped and danced and ran over the earth. 
They hastened to meet them. 

“Stop!’’ roared the Winds in a great voice as 
two rivers ran swiftly toward them. “We are the 
stronger, we will blow you back to the lodge whence 
vou came!” 

The Winds blew and blew with all their great 
strength and power. Their breath seemed to rise like 
a great wall around the Waters. But with a shout 
the Waters broke through it and made their way on 
to the Big Sea Waters. 

The Winds next attempted to hold a swift-running 
waterfall with their strong arms, but the waterfall 
pushed them aside, as deer do the moosewood, and 
with a glad shout leaped past them on to the rocks 
below. 

Many young streams and half-grown waterfalls 
were caught by the Winds, but with low gurgling 
laughter they slipped from their hands and ran down 
another trail to the Council of Waters. 

The Winds now paused and counseled together. 
A decision was quickly reached. They would unite 
and drive back the Great Sea Waters. 

With a roar the Winds swept down upon them. 
“Retreat from these shores!” they shouted. “We 
will show the Waters how strong are the Winds!” 

At first the Waters seemed to withdraw and run 



Why Waters Laugh and Shout 111 


from the Winds. The Winds, however, soon lost 
their breath and went down. By the time they had 
again risen, the Waters were leaping and tumbling 
over the shores. 

“The Waters seem to be the stronger,” sighed the 
Winds. ^‘We cannot hold them, they are great run¬ 
ners. Were it not for the Winds, however, they 
would be asleep, not running. It was the Winds who 
sent the Rain People to w^ake them; from the Rain 
People they have their strength to run.” 

The Great Waters grew still and listened to the 
words of the Winds “The Winds speak truth,” they 
said. ^Tt was the Rain People who waked us, and it 
was the Winds who chased the Rain People through 
the sky and caused us to awaken and rise and run. 
We would not have been great and powerful had 
there been no Winds. Winds and Rains and Waters 
are brothers; they are of one tribe; they must work 
and play together.” 

“How, how!” cried the Winds, “It shall be so!” 
And the Winds and the Waters began such a play 
and dance as the earth had never seen before. The 
Waters leaped and tumbled and rolled over the shores 
of the world, and the Winds tossed them high in the 
sky and played ball with them, until both earth and 
sky were filled with their shouts and laughter. Such 
sport was it to play together. 



112 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


The little Waters still laugh low and chuckle softly 
as they tell the story to the birds and others of the 
Wood People. ‘'We are running to see the game 
between the Winds and the Great Waters,” the little 
streams call as they hasten by, for ever since that 
time the Winds of sky and the Waters of earth have 
met to play together. 

And now often great shouts and roars of laughter 
may be heard coming from the Big Sea Waters. 

It is the Winds and the Waters playing together. 





HOW GIVING EVIL FOR EVIL ENDS 

One day as an Indian boy was following a trail near 
a stream he saw a snake running through the tall 
grass. He watched it, and soon discovered that the 
snake was after a frog.- The frog was leaping for his 
life, doing his best to reach the stream. One more 
leap and he would have made it, but the long sedge 
grass proved an enemy. It caught him by the legs 
and held him, and that last leap was never taken, for 
as he struggled to free himself from the sedge grass, 
the snake was upon him. 

With a hissing war cry, the snake struck the frog 
and seized him in his mouth. Again and again the 
frog struggled to free himself from the grip of 
the snake, but the snake held him fast, and with head 
high in the air swung the frog from side to side, as if 
to boast of his power. 

113 




114 Around an Iroquois Story Fire 


As the boy watched the battle he remembered what 
an old man had said the night before as he sat by their 
lodge fire. This old man, who seemed to be wise, had 
said, ‘^Do to others what they do to you.’’ ‘^This 
must be a good law,” thought the boy. ‘T will tell 
the frog about it; it may save his life.” So the boy 
called to the frog, ^'Do what the snake is doing, do 
what the snake is doing!” 

Now it so happened that just as the boy spoke, the 
snake raised his head very high and swung the frog 
far around and back of him. The frog heard and 
understood the boy’s words. His great bulb eyes 
were quick to see his chance. The next time he was 
swung back and around, the end of the snake’s tail 
was seized in his mouth, and the frog began to 
swallow the snake, as the snake was swallowing 
the frog. 

There was now a ring of snake and frog lying in 
the grass—and that ring was growing smaller! Each 
was eating the other up! Down, down, down went 
the tail of the snake in the frog’s throat, and less and 
less frog-leg was to be seen hanging from the mouth 
of the snake. 

The ring had grown very small now, for as more 
and more frog went down the snake’s throat, 
more and more snake went down the frog’s throat. 

In amazement the boy stood and watched the 



How Giving Evil for Evil Ends 115 


struggle, and as the ring grew smaller and smaller, 
the boy’s eyes grew bigger and bigger. Then he 
could scarcely believe his eyes at all, for as the snake 
swallowed the last bit of frog, the frog swallowed the 
last bit of snake—and nothing at all was left. Each 
had eaten the other up! 

The boy searched long in the grass where but a few 
moments before there had been both a snake and a 
frog. Not a speck of either was to be found. Each 
had done what the other had done to him. 


THE END 










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